News Release Distributed 11/18/10
The LSU AgCenter’s 2010 poinsettia open house is set for Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Burden Center located at 4560 Essen Lane near the junction of I-10 in Baton Rouge.
The event, which is being held for the 15th time, provides poinsettia growers and the public with an opportunity to view some of the latest poinsettia varieties, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jeff Kuehny.
“We don’t develop the varieties at the AgCenter,” Kuehny said. “We evaluate them for their potential to grow and market in Louisiana. We have trial plants from three poinsettia breeders this year – Paul Ecke Ranch, Syngenta and Dummen USA.
“The creative selection of the poinsettia breeders are focused on smaller bracts but with bracts shapes from ruffled to ones with as many points as a snowflake,” Kuehny added. “One would think that every shade of red had been discovered for poinsettias, but they somehow keep coming up with different variations.”
Some of the new varieties on display are Solstice Red, which has a deep green leaf with a more pointed bract and a deep, glowing-red bract color. Tapestry has a very fine holly leaf-shaped bract with splotches of red and white. The bracts of Winter Blush are large with a marble variegation with a bit of red blush brushed across each bract.
“Red continues to be the most popular color,” Kuehny said.
Those attending the open house will be asked to vote on their favorites among the new varieties. This will guide Kuehny and his research team on which ones to evaluate.
More than 1,000 plants will be on display and will be for sale that day. Prices range from $8 for a large, pinched 6-inch poinsettia, $6 for a smaller 6-inch plant and $4 for a 4-inch pinched plant. Proceeds go to fund research at the Burden Center.
Rick Bogren