Plantpeddler, located in Cresco, Iowa, conducted a trial of 157 commercial and pre‐release poinsettia varieties. Variety Day was hosted on Thursday, Dec. 5, with representatives of all major breeders, broker representatives, and growers in attendance. The trial was produced under natural season commercial production protocol. 

“We are proud to showcase genetics under northern USA growing conditions," Mike Gooder, president of Plantpeddler, said per a press release. "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 where low temperatures and light levels are common during production.”

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:

Pictured above: 'Mirage Red' from Syngenta Flowers. Photo courtesy of Plantpeddler

Top-10 red varieties

Pictured above: Superba Glitter from Lazzeri. Photo courtesy of Plantpeddler

Top-10 non‐red varieties

Genetics represented were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dümmen Orange, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta, Suntory and Syngenta Flowers. Plantpeddler is licensed by all the represented breeders and prides itself on being a one‐stop shop for premier Poinsettia liners.

“We have a real commitment to trialing as part of our leadership position in poinsettias,” said Gooder as to why Plantpeddler conducts their poinsettia trial. Another commitment of Plantpeddler is to facilitate best practices in the hort industry. To that end a “lunch and learn” presentation on Poinsettia Growing Tips was given by Gary Vollmer and sponsored by Selecta One.

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 represented a more typical cycle with average temperatures mid‐ September leading into initiation. Due to construction, temperatures may have varied slightly below setpoint during extreme low temp. nights (sub-zero). In mid‐November, we experienced moderate temps. with heavy overcast skies for extended periods. Light levels improved from Thanksgiving up to the trial event.