Poinsettia

DÜMMEN ORANGE offers a range of Poinsettia options from compact to vigorous to traditional reds and innovative novelties. Varieties are grouped by family according to response time, size and growth characteristics, allowing the grower to customize their program.

For more information, contact Dr. Allen Hammer, technical support for DÜMMEN ORANGE (dr.a.hammer@dummenorange.com, 765-532-6243).
 

Production:

Timing & Spacing

• Within a response group, compact varieties should be started 2 weeks earlier than medium-vigor varieties, and vigorous varieties should be planted 1 week later.
• Pot-tight spacing early on will promote upright growth and a strong v-shaped habit. Wait to space out crop until branches begin to grow into each other.
• Generally, pots should be spaced 1 to 2 inches less than desired finished height (i.e., a crop with a finished height of 14 inches should be spaced on 12 to 13 inches centers).
   

Fertility

• Use a high-quality, coarse media.
• Maintain a pH of 5.8 to 6.0 and an EC of 2.0 to 2.4 if possible.
• Make weekly applications of 275 to 325 ppm N from a 15-15-15 or similar formulation, beginning 2 to 3 weeks after planting.
• Reduce feed to 80 ppm N 3 to 4 weeks from shipping.
• Apply foliar calcium nitrate spray weekly during bract formation.
• Supplement feed with sodium molybdate from September through mid-November.
• Leach frequently to reduce salt build-up. This will reduce the likelihood for Pythium as well as bract edge burn which frequently leads to Botrytis.
   

Temperature

• Day temperature should be at 72° Fahrenheit early on, reduced to 70°F in mid-October. Two weeks prior to shipping, reduce to 65°.
• Night temperature should be at 72 to 74° early on, reduced to 68° 3 weeks after pinch. Two weeks prior to shipping, reduce to 65°.
• Growing on the cool side adds 1 week of finishing time and will reduce bract size.
• To avoid heat delay, day temperature should not regularly exceed 75°F.
   

Light

• High light levels at 4,000 to 5,000 footcandles promote stocky, strong plants.
• After both planting and pinching, shade should be provided and light gradually increased over a period of 10 days. After Sept. 15, lights should be turned off at night. Light intrusion should be avoided as much as possible.
• Four weeks prior to ship, use lower light (1,500 to 2,000 fc) to maintain vivid color.
   

Pinching & Growth Regulation

• A hard pinch is recommended to improve plant structure, leaving 5 to 6 branches to develop.
• Remove the top two leaves to increase light to the lower branches.