National Poinsettia Trials In 3 States

By Greenhouse Grower staff|September 9, 2009

The National Poinsettia Trials, collaboration of the research and trialing efforts of three universities (the University of Florida, North Carolina State University and Purdue University), one commercial site (Homewood Nursery, Raleigh, N.C.) and five commercial breeders (Paul Ecke Ranch, Dömmen, GroLink, Selecta First Class and Syngenta Flowers) will take place this year at different sites.

Open houses will take place:

– Wednesday, December 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Homewood Nursery
–Wednesday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
–Friday, December, 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
–Tuesday December 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

The trials were established to provide an independent evaluation of the newest poinsettia cultivars being introduced. Individual poinsettia varieties require different production procedures in different regions, and these diverse trial location allow growers in all parts of the United States to identify the varieties that work best for them.

The trial sites have all the latest cultivars on the bench and under indoor lighting in some cases–ready for the growers to judge. It is a great way to pick those varieties that will work best in the greenhouse for outstanding sales during the winter holiday season. In addition, each site will have other poinsettia research projects on display, including cold finishing, sustainable trials, PGRs and novel container combinations.