All the Highlights From Plantpeddler’s Poinsettia Variety Day

Posted by Brian Sparks|December 5, 2023

Poinsettia breeders, growers, and other attendees who descended upon Cresco, IA, for Plantpeddler’s Poinsettia Variety Day were greeted with a nearly perfect sunny late November day. More than 175 commercial and pre-release poinsettia varieties were featured for evaluation and review.

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Attendees at Plantpeddler's Poinsettia Variety Day 2023
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Trial layout overview
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A flag-worthy variety
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Red Variety Number 1: 'Kayla Red' from Beekenkamp (also the 2021 Winner)
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Non-Red Number 1 (Tie): 'Princettia Sparkling Rouge' from Suntory Flowers
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Non-Red Number 1 (Tie): 'Eary Polly’s Pink' from Dümmen Orange
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The InBlume Team at Poinsettia Variety Day

The event took place on Thursday, Nov. 30, with representatives from all commercial poinsettia breeders, brokers, and growers in attendance from 18+ states. The trial was produced under natural season, commercially sustainable production protocol using limited plant growth regulators. In addition, Mike Poretsky of A-ROO presented value-added upgrade treatments and packaging.

Genetics were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dümmen Orange, Express Seed, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta One, and Suntory Flowers. Plantpeddler is licensed by all breeders represented and prides itself on being a one-stop shop for premium poinsettia liners.

“With our leadership position in poinsettias, this investment is for our retailers, growers, brokers, and breeding partners,” said Mike Gooder, President of Plantpeddler as to why Plantpeddler conducts its poinsettia trial.

Another commitment of Plantpeddler is to facilitate best practices in the horticulture industry. As a true production trial, the tested varieties were grown within a block of benchmark commercial varieties with the same treatments and environmental conditions. This year, throughout production, higher-than-average temperatures and daylight were experienced.

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“The Poinsettia Trial and Variety Day event emphasizes our commitment to the industry by showcasing genetics under northern U.S. growing conditions,” Gooder said. “It is important to do a poinsettia production trial as a way for the industry and our growers to see how varieties perform in North American, northern climate greenhouse conditions.”

Trial attendees voted using a three-flag system for “Best Red Variety” and “Best Non-Red Variety” with a 3, 2, 1 point scoring. The results are as follows:

Plantpeddler extends a sincere thank-you to all the breeders and sponsors for helping make this trial possible. Also, thank you to the team at Plantpeddler for producing an outstanding trial and event.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day trial event on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Plantpeddler’s Variety Day trial event showcasing annuals is Aug. 2, 2024. For more information contact Plantpeddler at 800-827-1654, plantpeddler.com, or [email protected].