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, yet 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.