Growing cooler can save money

Researchers at Purdue Univ. and Univ. of N.H. have studied the affect of cold finishing poinsettias trying to produce a more fuel-efficient plant, reports the Associated Press. Roberto Lopez, Purdue asst. hort. professor and floriculture ext. specialist, said growers who start their poinsettias 1-2 weeks earlier and then lower the temperatures at the end of the season can save 20-40% on their energy costs.
Brian Krug, Univ. of N.H. coop. ext. specialist, said some of the varieties this year don’t need the earlier start. Krug looked at 10 different varieties that were started from cuttings in August at the normal production temperatures and then were exposed to cooler night temperatures later in the production cycle.
Lopez told the AP that some varieties just don’t lend themselves to cold finishing. He said cold temperatures can delay development and flowering resulting in small size plants and bracts.
Purdue, N.C. St. Univ. and Univ. of Fla. participate in Nat’l Poinsettia Cultivar Trials. Several other universities and commercial growers, including Univ. of N.H. and Ohio St. Univ., also conduct poinsettia trials and open houses that look at new varieties and other aspects of research.