Poinsettia Trials

by Mary Adams

Holiday images of burgundy red against green leaves give us the traditional appearance of the poinsettia flower. However, today’s poinsettia can dress in anything from shades of creamy whites, frosty pinks and cherry reds, to almost-orange and varying degrees of dappled hues.

The original poinsettias were humble native plants of Mexico. Dr. Joel Poinsett (1779-1851), the first U.S. Minister to Mexico and an amateur botanist, is credited with introducing the poinsettia to the United States in 1825. Native poinsettias can still be seen today, growing wild in warm-climate states. The small green-leaved plants hardly look like anything special at all, except for a smudge of red on their uppermost leaves. It was that smudge that was cultivated to encourage sizable multiples of red leaves. Yes, the colorful part of the poinsettia is actually its leaves, or rather bracts (modified leaves). Technically, the true flower of the plant is the inconspicuous yellow blooms found in the center of the bracts. Modern day cultivated cousins of the native poinsettia are the most popular potted plant in the U.S., with an estimated 70 million sold during the holidays.

Behind the retail store offerings in December, wholesale growers and research facilities work diligently year round to bring new varieties to market. Independent experimental trials are held in various locations from Canada to North Carolina, and even here in Florida.

Dr. Jim Barrett heads the research team at the University of Florida in Gainesville. While Floridians languish on the beaches in the shimmering heat of July, plugs of new varieties of poinsettia plants, 1-2 inches tall, are being planted and cared for in greenhouses on the UF campus. The Environmental Horticulture Department, as part of the College of Agriculture, has been involved with poinsettia research for the past 33 years, and has participated in poinsettia trials since 1996.

Thousands of poinsettias — over 100 varieties — debut in Gainesville in early December. With over 6,000 plants under greenhouse roofs, everything from traditional standards to the newest varieties (hot pink!), the show is breathtaking. Wholesale growers and industry professionals have their own day for viewing the results of the trials and comparing notes on the science behind the final product. On separate days the trials are open to the general public, usually early in December.

Consumers who tour the trial are asked to fill out a simple one-page survey rating their preferences among specific groups of similar plants. Growers know that, beyond the immediate concerns of plant health, shipping size and shelf longevity, it is ultimately the consumers’ preferences which dictate which varieties they’ll be growing next season.

Holiday shoppers, envisioning the beauty of these flowers in their own homes, happily find a poinsettia plant sale in the greenhouse next to the trials. UF’s Environmental Horticulture Club has been growing and cultivating their own poinsettias for months. These are sold to raise funds to support complementary educational experiences outside of the classroom. Typically, the student plant sale carries about 40 varieties of poinsettias.

Some years, in addition to the standard burgundies, reds and whites, don’t be surprised to see some extra creativity among the student offerings. Trade secrets, even among the students, are kept mum, but a few years ago at the student plant sale there were some dramatically different poinsettias. Apparently inspired by an outpouring of school spirit, the students displayed poinsettias in UF’s school colors - orange and blue!

Mary Adams earned her degree in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida, Gainesville.

© 2013 Mary Adams. Originally published in Florida Gardening, Dec / Jan 2013. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

UF Environmental Horticulture Club Poinsettia Show and Sale: www.gatorpoinsettia.com

Poinsettia Care (From the UF Student Plant Sale)

DO...

• Place plants in indirect sunlight for 6 hours a day.

• Keep room temperature between 68-70 degrees F.

• Water thoroughly, when the soil feels dry to the touch.

• Fertilize after the blooming season with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer.

DON’T...

• Place near cold drafts or excessive heat.

• Expose plants to temperatures below 50 degrees.

• Let plants sit in standing water.

• Fertilize plants when in bloom.