Alpina
As one of the whitest poinsettias on the market, Alpina provides early-season color ideal for week 47 sales. Plus, the medium vigor works well in many pot sizes.
Plant Vigor: Medium
V-Shaped Habit: Normal
Characteristics
-
Season:Early Season
-
Foliage:medium green
-
Natural Flower (first pollen):Nov. 16-20
-
Response Time in weeks (first pollen):7.5
-
Vigor:medium
-
Habit:normal
-
Average Bract Size:large, pointed
-
Post Harvest:good
Finishing Recommendations
-
Energy Efficient:
-
Varieties are rated from most (
) to least (
) efficient. Contact us for guides.
-
Cool Finish (24 hrs avg.):63°F / 17°C
-
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:
-
Varieties are rated from most () to least () efficient. Contact us for guides.
-
Recommended spacing for 6":13"x13"
Download Culture Details
GARY’S
NOTES
CULTURE THAT WORKS
propagation
- Roots rapidly; plant from liner at 22-24 days.
- Apply rooting hormone to the base of cutting.
- Start feed program around day 7.
- More moderate vigor level than some others; may not require PGR application in propagation.
- Important to plant from liners into finished container as soon as they are well rooted.
- Branches aggressively, very early and will branch based on leaf maturity, not just pinch.
- Failure to feed early enough will result in yellowing and hardening of liner; some early feeding in propagation is recommended.
early finished growth
- Strong-branched variety must be pinched early: at day 12-14 from a liner; at day 22-24 for direct stick.
- Failure to pinch early will result in uneven branching; important to pinch leaving only as many leaves as you need branches; will produce a branch at every node.
- Apply light PGR when branches are 1-1.5 in. (2.5-4 cm) using Cycocel spray at 500 ppm or 750 ppm; recommended to even out the branches.
growing on
- Grows steadily once the branches develop and exhibits consistent moderate growth throughout the crop until color begins.
- Northern Climate: PGR should be limited to only Cycocel spray at 500 ppm.
- Southern Climate: Can use Cycocel spray up to 1,000 ppm. Use 1-2 spray applications of B-Nine (1,000 ppm)/Cycocel (500 ppm) before September 20.
- Avoid late applications of PGR as they can affect the whiteness and size of the bract.
late growing stages
- Strong root system; requires continuous feed until finish.
- Watch media EC; reduce feed levels to avoid rapid increase in media EC as this indicates the plants need for nutrition is waning.
- High EC at finish can result in root damage, reduced shelf life and possible Pythium.
- Can be held cool but will reduce whiteness; pay attention to the humidity and avoid dew point to prevent Botrytis.