'Draco' Red, 'Jack Frost' among top performers in Plantpeddler's poinsettia trial

Cresco, Iowa-based grower hosted its annual poinsettia variety day on Dec. 3, featuring 144 commercial and pre-release poinsettia varieties.

“The Poinsettia trial and Variety Day event emphasizes our commitment to industry by showcasing genetics under northern USA growing conditions,” Plantpeddler president Mike Gooder said according to 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.” 

Genetics represented were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dummen Orange, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta, Suntory, and Syngenta Flowers. Plantpeddler is licensed by all the represented breeders.

Per the release, the “tested varieties were grown within a block of benchmark commercial varieties with the same treatments and environmental conditions.” According to Plantpeddler, conditions were “warmer and brighter” than most years, leading to “optimal color and bract expansion.”

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 varieties

Non-red varieties 

The 2021 Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day trial event on Dec. 2 with Plantpeddler’s Variety Day trial event featuring is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2021