Find Out the Big Winners From Plantpeddler’s 2022 Poinsettia Variety Day

Posted by Brian Sparks|December 8, 2022

During Plantpeddler’s Poinsettia Variety Day on Thursday, Dec. 1, breeders and attendees were greeted with a cold, crisp, beautiful, sunny day in Northeast Iowa. This year’s trial featured more than 175 commercial and pre-release poinsettia varieties, and attendees includes representatives from all commercial poinsettia breeders, broker representatives, and growers from more than 20 states and two European countries. The trial was produced under natural season commercial sustainable production protocol using limited plant growth regulators. In addition, Fantasy Colors paint guru Andrew Lee (Ball) demonstrated value-added poinsettia paint and upgrade treatments.

1 of 7

1 of 7

Andrea Lazzeri of Lazzeri with Mike Gooder of Plantpeddler holding Superba New Glitter, the #1 Non-Red for 2022. New Glitter placed third in 2020 and first in 2021. All photos: Plantpeddler
2 of 7

Gary Sainsbury of Syngenta Flowers with Ruby Red.
3 of 7

Number 1 Red: Ruby Red from Syngenta Flowers, new for 2023
4 of 7

Number 1 Non-Red: Superba New Glitter from Lazzeri
5 of 7

Dr. Andrew Lee demos Ball Fantasy Colors
6 of 7

This year’s trial featured more than 175 commercial and pre-release poinsettia varieties.
7 of 7

Attendees includes representatives from all commercial poinsettia breeders, broker representatives, and growers from more than 20 states and two European countries.

Genetics were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dümmen Orange, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta, Suntory, and Syngenta 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,” says 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, the fall production conditions were cooler than average, with average light levels.

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

Top Articles

How to Celebrate the Fifth Annual Women in Horticulture Week

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 for help making this trial possible. Mark your calendars for next year’s Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day trial event on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Plantpeddler’s Variety Day trial event showcasing Annuals is August 4, 2023. For more information contact, Plantpeddler at 800-827-1654 or [email protected].