Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
12-2-04
Contacts:
Ed Moran, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, edmoran@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Reiman's Pick for the week of Nov. 29, 2004
A Mexican Native Moves Into Reiman Gardens
By Ed Moran
Reiman Gardens
Iowa State University
The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), a native to Mexico and Guatemala, has become the signature flowering plant during the holiday season. In 2000, retailers sold more than 65 million flowering potted poinsettia plants, making it the largest potted flowering crop in the floriculture industry. With over 100 cultivars currently available to growers, consumers can choose from a large variety of colors and forms to suit any taste. However, the classic red-bracted poinsettia still dominates all others cultivars produced.
Reiman Gardens' "Victorian Holiday" Conservatory display highlights many traditional poinsettia colors, yet with less common cultivars including the Gutiber V-17™ Angelika Red. Because of its taller growth habit, commercial growers do not commonly grow this cultivar. This cultivar makes a great tropical shrub and offers striking visual impact when planted with smaller poinsettias and other seasonal flowering plants. In addition, the V-17™ Angelika is an excellent plant for single-stemmed or tree form poinsettias. This season, Reiman Gardens features 15 cultivars of poinsettias as well as other seasonal blooming plants.
Started in mid-July as small rooted cuttings, poinsettias began flower initiation in late September and now are in full bloom, approximately nine weeks later. Make your plans to attend the Gardens' Blossoms of Light events on the first two weekends of December, or come throughout the season to view the" Victorian Holiday" Conservatory display from Nov. 22 through Jan. 2.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 308K. Caption: The Angelika is an excellent plant for single-stemmed or tree form poinsettias. |
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