Plantpeddler Names Top Poinsettias at Variety Day

This year’s Poinsettia Variety Day trial in Northeast Iowa featured over 175 commercial and pre-release poinsettia varieties. On Thursday, Dec. 1,  representatives from all commercial poinsettia breeders, broker representatives and growers were in attendance from over 20 states and two European countries. The trial was produced under natural season commercial sustainable production protocol using limited PGRs. In addition, Fantasy Colors paint guru Andrew Lee (Ball) demonstrated value-added poinsettia paint and upgrade treatments.

Check out video coverage by clicking here.

As a true production trial, the tested varieties were grown within a block of benchmark commercial varieties with the same treatments and environmental conditions. 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:

Red Variety Top 10

1. ‘Ruby Red’ — Syngenta Flowers
2. ‘Noel Red’ — Selecta One
3. ‘Mirage Red’ — Syngenta Flowers
4. SK175 ‘Christmas Candle’ — Selecta One
5. ‘Kayla Red’ — Beekenkamp
6. ‘Ranch Red’ — Rinehart Poinsettias
7. ‘FabYULEous Red’ — Dümmen Orange
8. ‘Astro Red’ — Beekenkamp
9. ‘Robyn Red’ — Beekenkamp
10. ‘Toro Red’ — Syngenta Flowers

Non-Red Variety Top 10

1. ‘Superba New Glitter’ — Lazzeri
2. ‘Jack Frost’ — Rinehart Poinsettias
3. ‘Pure White’ — Rinehart Poinsettias
4. ‘Superba Marble’ — Lazzeri
5. ‘Premium Ice Crystal — Dümmen Orange
6. SK215 — Selecta One
7. ‘Norwin Orange’ — Dümmen Orange
8. ‘Frozen’ — Dümmen Orange
9. ‘Early Elegance Marble’ — Selecta One
10. ‘Early Polly’s Pink’ — Dümmen Orange

Genetics were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dummen Orange, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta, Suntory and Syngenta Flowers. Plantpeddler is licensed by all breeders represented. “With our leadership position in Poinsettias, this investment is for our retailers, growers, brokers, and breeding partners.” said Mike Gooder, president of Plantpeddler as to why Plantpeddler conducts their poinsettia trial.

This year, the fall production conditions were cooler than average, with average light levels. Mike said, “The Poinsettia trial and Variety Day event emphasizes our commitment to the industry by showcasing genetics under northern USA growing conditions. 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.”

Mark your calendars now for next year’s Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day trial event on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Plantpeddler’s Variety Day trial event showcasing annuals is Aug. 4, 2023. For more information, contact Plantpeddler at 800.827.1654 and info@plantpeddler.com.

Photo above: Andrea Lazzeri of Lazzeri with Mike Gooder of Plantpeddler holding Superba New Glitter No. 1 Non-Red 2022. New Glitter has place third in 2020 and first in 2021.