Special Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

November 22, 2005

     It was like wading in a virtual sea of color a few days ago when Master Gardeners from Rowan and Davidson County began a countywide tour of Rowan County poinsettia farms.   Workers were busy in preparation for the upcoming Christmas holiday.  Some were already loading colorful poinsettias for their customers.

Growing the holiday plant begins mid summer with producers taking cuttings from stock plants.  During the summer and into fall growers carefully grow plants supplying necessary nutrients and warding off insects and diseases. Often, plants grow too fast and growers must apply growth regulators to keep them compact.

 Red is the predominant poinsettia color; however there is a virtual rainbow of colors ranging from deep purples to creamy whites. “Freedom” is the predominant poinsettia cultivar that is best known for its vibrant color. This cultivar is now available in other colors such as white, pink and "Jingle Bells".  Poinsettias are available in different colors and bract shapes. “Plum Pudding” is a purple variety; “Pink Peppermint”, “Jingle Belles” and “Winter Rose” are other examples of varying poinsettia colors and shapes.

Because the hollow stems of poinsettias are fragile and easily broken, researchers are trying to develop cultivars with stronger stems. “Prestige” is a new variety touting stronger stems with longer lasting blooms. Breeders are constantly coming up with

     Poinsettias are photoperiodic plants or plants that respond to daylenghts.  The chlorophyll (green color) gradually disappears revealing other color pigments as a result of waning daylight hours in early September.  The bracts (modified leaves) usually show faint color in early October and by Thanksgiving most is near their peak.

Some growers shade their plants to produce color quicker for retail markets, while others add light extending the season of color throughout the holidays. There has been plenty of sunlight this season, a must for a good crop and the unseasonably warm fall has little impact. Rowan poinsettia growers are right on schedule with their crop.  Growers take pictures on a weekly basis to compare this crop to previous season’s crop to determine if they are on schedule.

Poinsettias, like mums, are a great buy for all the time and care that has gone into their production. However, as beautiful as they are, poinsettias are grown as disposable plants. 

Rowan County has four commercial poinsettia producers: Rockwell Farms in Rockwell (wholesale only), Weddington Greenhouses on Miller Road near China Grove, Patterson Farms, Inc., in Millbridge and Garden Greenhouses on Woodleaf Road just outside Salisbury.  This is one of the best poinsettia crops I have seen in many years. The best poinsettia plants sell out soon after Thanksgiving. Check ads from local producers and purchase your holiday plant soon!

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com , e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu