(11/20/12) -- Poinsettias are popular, colorful plants that appear in retail stores in early November through the Christmas holiday. The value and overall quality of these beautiful plants can be decreased with mishandling at both the grower and retailer levels. Paying attention to details before, during and after shipping will ensure that customers receive the best plants possible.
Before Shipping
Fertilizer levels should be steadily reduced as the plants gradually reach full color and maturity. Relatively high salt levels at the end of production can lead to bract edge burn and root loss, especially if the media is allowed to get extremely dry. Growers should primarily use calcium nitrate fertilizer types the last three to four weeks of finishing.
To avoid bract edge burn, maintain relatively low salts in the media and spray calcium chloride dihyrate at 1 lb/100 gal at weekly intervals beginning at first bract color. A spray adjuvant, such as CapSil®, is recommended to help reduce spray residue.
As the plants begin to mature, growers should drop temperatures to help tone the plants and prepare them for shipping. Sturdy, toned plants hold up much better in shipping and at retail. Cool temperatures at the end of production will enhance bract color on most colored varieties and help to retain cyathia, especially on those plants that need to be held before shipping.
Although plants should be watered thoroughly before sleeving and delivery, make sure the foliage is dry before plants are sleeved. If sleeving plants within the greenhouse, try to maintain moderate temperatures and low relative humidity.
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Poinsettia Shipping and Post-Harvest Tips
