Poinsettias Shine Bright Red, Pink, and White at Field Day

Posted by Paul Rusnak|December 17, 2019

Cresco, IA-based Plantpeddler recently conducted a field trial of 157 commercial and pre-release poinsettia varieties. Representatives of all major plant breeders, brokers, and growers were in attendance. The trial was conducted under natural season commercial production protocol, according to Plantpeddler.

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Nearly 160 pre-release poinsettia varieties were put to the test during Plantpeddler's 2019 field trials.
Photo by Karl Trellinger
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'Mirage Red' (Syngenta Flowers)

'Mirage Red' from Syngenta Flowers took top honors for the Red Variety category during Plantpeddler's 2019 Poinsettia field trial.
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'Superba Glitter - 746' (Lazzeri)

Lazzeri's 'Superba Glitter - 746' scored No. 1 in the Non-Red Variety category for Plantpeddler's poinsettia 2019 field trial.

Genetics represented at the field day were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dümmen Orange, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta, Suntory, and Syngenta Flowers. The tested poinsettia varieties were grown within a block of benchmark commercial varieties with the same treatments and environmental conditions. This year, the fall production conditions represented a more typical cycle with average temperatures mid-September leading into initiation, noted Plantpeddler.

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

Red Variety Top 10
1. ‘Mirage Red’ (Syngenta Flowers)
2. ‘Robyn Red’ (Beekenkamp)
3. ‘Astro Red’ (Beekenkamp)
4. ‘Tapestry’ (Dümmen Orange)
5. ‘Christmas Eve Red’ (Selecta)
6. ‘Aria Red’ (Syngenta Flowers)
7. ‘RF503CB’ (Dümmen Orange)
8. ‘Futura Red – 233’ (Lazzeri)
9. ‘Christmas Beauty’ (Red Selecta)
10. ‘Draco Red’ (Syngenta Flowers)

Non-Red Variety Top 10
1. ‘Superba Glitter – 746’ (Lazzeri)
2. ‘Alpina – 741’ (Lazzeri)
3. ‘Jack Frost’ (Rinehart)
4. ‘Frozen EK3818SP’ (Dümmen Orange)
5. ‘Pure White’ (Rinehart)
6. ‘Princettia Queen Pink’ (Suntory)
7. ‘Candy Cinnamon’ (Syngenta Flowers)
8. ‘Christmas Beauty Marble’ (Selecta)
9. ‘Golden Glo’ (Dümmen Orange)
10. ‘RF535JIN’ (Dümmen Orange)