Those who walked into the greenhouse of The Mastergrowers saw lots of Poinsettias together in all kinds of colors. On 31 October and 1 November, the Poinsettia Trials took place in Honselersdijk, organized by Beekenkamp, Dümmen Orange and Lazzeri. Graff Breeding, Florensis and Selecta One were also present. The breeders showed their latest introductions.
Ard van der Lugt of Beekenkamp
At Beekenkamp, Ard van der Lugt showed the new test color of the Poinsettia Superstars line. "We started with red, eventually, through breeding this unique pink color came out. There are also several experiments going on, including the Pon 190 Cinnamon. Of our Poinsettias, pot size 13 are grown here, the 10.5 is grown at Kuivenhoven Plants," he says.
Beekenkamp's "pink" test color
Beekenkamp's Pon 190 Cinnamon
At Dümmen Orange, they showed some highlights. There are many new products as pre-introductions, from which an introduction eventually emerges. Frank van der Aar says: "With Poinsettias, we look closely at v-shape, climate, vigor and family breeding. So we have the Embla and Freya, which are easy for growers. We also have a wide range, with early to late varieties. The Rapid is fast on color, and the Embla is good later in the season, and we have the J'adore earlier in the season. Each Poinsettia grows differently, but we pay close attention to the details. The most important thing is that the Poinsettias stay in good shape until after Christmas."
The Freya Family by Dümmen Orange
The Embla Family from Dümmen Orange
The J'adore, blooming earlier in the season
Frank continues, "Breeding is very important, because apart from the appearance of a plant, we also look precisely at, for example, disease resistance so that fewer resources are ultimately needed."
Johan van 't Hag, Frank van der Aar, and Paul Evers of Dümmen Orange
At Lazzeri, Andrea Lazzeri explains that their focus is mainly on red. "Carmen is first, then comes Maestro and then Aida. They have a growth time of 7.5 weeks, except for Maestro. That one is a bit later, but also very strong. Superba is a family, and all the colors can fit nicely together in a pot as they have the same growth. In addition, Superba has now been improved, there is now more contrast in the plant."
Lazzeri's 'strong' Maestro
On the left the 'old' Superba, and on the right the improved type with stronger contrast
Lazzeri's unusual Papagena
"The Papagena is a bit crazy and special, and new," Andrea continues. The white Poinsettia Alaska is the number one in the Netherlands, and they fit in all pot sizes."
Andrea and Peter Lazzeri
For more information:
Beekenkamp Plants
Korte Kruisweg 141
2676 ZG Maasdijk, the Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)174 - 526 100
www.beekenkamp.nl
Dümmen Orange
Tel: +31 174 530 100
[email protected]
www.dummenorange.com
Lazzeri Società Agricola A R.L.
Tel: +39 0473 246246
[email protected]
www.lazzeri-agricola.com