Abstract
Over the past several years, ‘Freedom Red’ and other new poinsettia cultivars have been introduced to commercial producers and consumers. These cultivars were selected for improvements in postharvest handling, appearance under artificial lighting, growth habit, earliness to flower, and floral display. Many of these improvements were brought about by changes in the way poinsettias are marketed and used. Growers must be able to supply mature plants before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Increased use of poinsettias in interiorscapes of malls and office buildings requires plants that “appear” red under artificial lighting. Consumers demand plants that hold the colored bracts well throughout the holiday season. Freedom Red, introduced in 1991 from the Paul Ecke Ranch in California, was developed with these considerations in mind. The Freedom series is now available in red, white, pink, marble, and the ‘Jingle Bells’ form (red with pink splotches). A previous report indicated that Freedom Red initiates flowers 7 to 10 days before other cultivars (Hall et al., 1994). Additionally, because it has a more compact growth habit than older poinsettia cultivars, more time is needed for vegetative growth after the pinch and before flower initiation in order to finish a plant that is similar in size to
Highlights
This publication from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service has been archived
A previous report indicated that Freedom Red initiates flowers 7 to 10 days before other cultivars (Hall et al, 1994). Because it has a more compact growth habit than older poinsettia cultivars, more time is needed for vegetative growth after the pinch and before flower initiation in order to finish a plant that is similar in size to other cultivars
Data indicate that long days generally will delay the onset of flowering, while increasing plant height of Freedom Red poinsettias (Table 1)
Summary
Recommended Citation Albrecht, Mary L. (1996) "Use of Long Days to Time Flowering of "Freedom Red" Poinsettia," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol 0: Iss. 12. https://doi.org/10.4148/ 2378-5977.7372. (1996) "Use of Long Days to Time Flowering of "Freedom Red" Poinsettia," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol 0: Iss. 12. This research report is available in Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol0/iss12/135. Mary Lewnes Albrecht* Over the past several years, ‘Freedom Red’ and other new poinsettia cultivars have been introduced to commercial producers and consumers These cultivars were selected for improvements in postharvest handling, appearance under artificial lighting, growth habit, earliness to flower, and floral display.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
