Christmas Spirit
Very large-bracted Christmas Spirit offers a rich red color for enormous retail appeal. This variety is best suited for large pots thanks to its big vigor and early flowering. Plus, this versatile poinsettia won’t delay in the heat for Southern growers, and is a superior choice for cold-finish production.
Plant Vigor: High
V-Shaped Habit: Narrow
Characteristics
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Season:Early Season
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Foliage:dark green
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Natural Flower (first pollen):Nov. 12-19
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Response Time in weeks (first pollen):7.5
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Vigor:high
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Habit:narrow
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Average Bract Size:very large, pointed
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Post Harvest:very good
Finishing Recommendations
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Energy Efficient:
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Varieties are rated from most () to least (
) efficient. Contact us for guides.
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Cool Finish (24 hrs avg.):60°F / 15°C
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Indicates minimum temperature starting two weeks after the beginning of short days. Please note that a crop grown cooler requires more time to finish (4 to 7 days), and will have smaller bracts and darker color (for example, white may turn cream-yellow). Toward the end of the crop (two weeks prior to shipping), slowly lower the temperature for green-leafed varieties to 65°F (18°C) day/night and dark green-leafed varieties to 63°F (17°C) day/night.
Space Efficient:
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Varieties are rated from most () to least () efficient. Contact us for guides.
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Recommended spacing for 6":14"x14"
Download Culture Details
GARY’S
NOTES
CULTURE THAT WORKS
propagation
- Roots rapidly; plant from a liner at 19-21 days.
- Apply rooting hormone at the base of cutting.
- Start feed program at day 7 to prevent yellowing.
- Apply Cycocel spray at 500-750 ppm at day 15-20 and repeat if needed.
- Plant into the finished container when well rooted.
- Feed aggressively; failure to feed early enough will result in yellowing and hardening.
early finished growth
- Pinch early: at day 14-16 from a liner; at day 24-26 for direct stick.
- Apply PGR when branches are 1-1.5 in. (2.5-4 cm), 7 days after pinch.
- Apply Cycocel spray at 500-750 ppm.
growing on
- Grows steadily once the branches develop, and exhibits strong growth through mid-October, then slows down as it approaches finish.
- Northern Climate: Apply Cycocel spray at 500-1,000 ppm.
- Southern Climate: Use 1-2 applications of B-Nine (1,000 ppm)/Cycocel (500 ppm) before September 20.
- Apply later Cycocel sprays at 500-750 ppm, ending by October 10.
- Micro Bonzi applications can begin in early October, stopping by October 15.
late growing stages
- Requires continuous feed until finish.
- Reduce feed levels if media EC increases too rapidly.
- High EC at finish can result in root damage, reduced shelf life and possible Pythium.
- Can be held cool. Pay attention to the humidity and avoid dew point to prevent Botrytis.