US: 'Sky Fantasy' named Best Red Variety and 'Giulia' Best Non-Red Variety

On a brisk December day, the Poinsettia industry descended upon Cresco, Iowa, for Poinsettia Variety Day. This trial was attended by breeders, brokers, growers, and retailers. Trial attendance and trial collection grow each year. This year over 200 commercial varieties awaited review and evaluation by the 150-plus attendees. Hosted on Thursday, December 5th, representatives from all commercial Poinsettia breeders, brokers, and growers were in attendance from 18 states and two European countries. In addition, Mike Poretsky of A-ROO presented upgrade treatments and packaging.

Best Of Class Red 5 Year – Challenge Winner: Noel Bred By Selecta

Genetics were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dummen Orange, Graff, InBlume, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta One, and Suntory Flowers. Plantpeddler is licensed by all breeders represented and prides itself on being a "one-stop shop" for "premium" Poinsettia liners.

PP Poin Var Day RED Number 1. Sky Fantasy, Selecta One

As to why Plantpeddler conducts their Poinsettia trial, Mike Gooder, President of Plantpeddler, said, "As a leader in Poinsettia young plants, this investment is for our retailers, growers, brokers, and breeding partners. 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 commercial production trial for Poinsettias as a way for the industry and growers to evaluate variety performance and improve their selections."

New this year at Poinsettia Variety Day was the 2024 Best of Class Red – 5-Year Challenge. This was a blind vote contest, pitting the six varieties that had placed first and/or second place over the past five years. The dominating varieties were Draco, Kayla, Mirage, Noel, Robyn, and Ruby. In a close competition, Noel garnered the winning vote count. Noel finished second in 2020 and 2022. Congratulations to Selecta on winning this award.

PP Poin Var Day RED Number 2. Red Ribbons Dummen Orange

This year's trial results might be tagged as "The Year of the Novelty" as non-traditional varieties dominated the trial in both the Red and Non-Red categories. This reflects the industry's drive to keep innovating this holiday classic to drive consumer interest and sales. Congratulations also goes out to all the winning varieties, as stated by the Plantpeddler team.

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 below.

PP Poin Var Day N R Number 1. Giulia, Lazzeri

PP Poin Var Day N R Number 2. Ice Punch, Dümmen Orange

PP Poin Var Day N R Number 3. Princettia Queen Rose Punch, Suntory