Delivering longer lasting poinsettias

Although some consumers might feel that their poinsettias already last long enough, research is underway to improve the plant’s durability in both the retail and consumer setting. Rebecca Schnelle, a Univ. of Ky. ext. assistant horticulture professor, is participating in a multi-state research project studying how to deliver the plants from the grower to the consumer in the best shape possible.
“I’m looking at a variety of factors that might affect the plant’s durability during shipping and during the retail process,” Schnelle said. She said consumers expect a poinsettia that’s going to last a long time. “As a horticulture industry, we’ve not been able to provide that.”
Schnelle is studying plants of different sizes, maturity levels, varieties and other factors that may affect the poinsettia’s quality and longevity. She is attempting to simulate the same conditions poinsettias encounter during production, shipping and retailing. Plants will be studied in a simulated retail environment with relatively low light levels under fluorescent lights, cool temperatures and low humidity.
Schnelle is hoping the research will reveal any issues that may impact plant quality after poinsettias leave the greenhouse. This will enable the researchers to focus on how to best address those issues in order to supply consumers with better quality plants.