Poinsettia FASTFACTS

Eckespoint® Freedom™ Early Red

Product Description Dark green foliage Available in Red with same great cultivar characteristics as the rest of the Freedom family Early flower initiation with 7-71/2 week response time allows Early Red to be ready Nov. 5-10 Excellent branching characteristics Outstanding post production characteristics		Cultural Tips Blooms early without the use of blackcloth Easily timed for later flowering dates with lights or temperatures Requires about 20% less fertilizer than medium green leaf cultivars

STOCK: For maximum production of good quality cuttings, maintain minimum night temperatures of 66-68°F/19-20°C throughout the production season. Use of night interruption lighting from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM is recommended through 30 May to prevent flower initiation. A minimum of 10-foot candles/107 lux is required to be effective. Provide a balanced and complete fertilizer regime to assure optimum plant growth. Light intensities of 4,500 to 5,000 foot candles/ 48,400 to 53,800 lux are ideal provided daytime greenhouse temperatures do not exceed 90°F/32°C.

Freedom™ Early Red mother plants:

• produce ample cuttings
• have an optimum cutting maturity characteristic of 5 to 6 weeks
• are adaptable to multiple pinch (2-3) or single pinch, fast crop programs
• may require protection from increased daytime temperatures that occur at high light intensities (5,000+ foot candles/53,800+ lux)

For more details about stock plant production click here: Fast Crop Stock Plants

PROPAGATION: Cuttings root quickly under normal propagation conditions. Use of a rooting hormone containing up to 2500 ppm IBA will promote the speed and uniformity of root development. Minimum chemical growth regulator applications are needed during propagation to prevent stretching. For more information about the propagation of poinsettias click here: Poinsettia Propagation

FINISHED PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: Freedom™ Early Red is one of the easiest poinsettias to grow. The normal flower initiation date is even earlier than the rest of the Freedom family, influencing the early flowering characteristics of the plant. For branched plants, plant and pinch one week earlier than Freedom to attain a similar height. It is not recommended to light to delay flowering and would be more practical to grow the regular Freedom for a later flowering date. Chemical growth regulator requirements are minimal for this cultivar, however Freedom™ Early Red is responsive to A-Rest®, Bonzi®, Cycocel® and Sumagic®, or combinations of B-Nine® and Cycocel®, if treatments are required. For more information about growth regulating click here: Chemical Growth Regulators. This cultivar is resistant to epinasty and can withstand the stress of sleeving, boxing and shipping.

CULTIVAR NOTES:

• Freedom™ Early Red is sensitive to drying or rapid changes in light and temperature conditions, which may result in minor leaf curl, leaf burn and/or lower branch wilting.
• Because of the plants very early bud set and timing it is important to watch temperatures in late August and early September and avoid excessive heat that may delay flowering.
• Freedom™ Early Red should be grown with other early cultivars.
• Maintain even soil moisture levels and avoid high soluble salts.
• Bracts are susceptible to sunburn if exposed to high light intensities at finish. Provide shade to prevent damage to mature bracts.
• Exotherm Termil® may bleach the color on expanded bracts. Discontinue use of this product during bract formation.
• Freedom™ Early Red is not recommended for tree production due to its susceptibility to splitting.
• Freedom is subject to late season stretch if finished at tight spacing. Be prepared to apply a soil drench of Bonzi® after expansion of the primary bracts to reduce late season stretch.

If your have further questions after reviewing this and other suggested documents please post your questions within our Poinsettias Forum on our Tech Help Bulletin Board at Ecke Poinsettias Forum.

Figure 1 Freedom™ Early Red

©1999 Paul Ecke Ranch All Rights Reserved

.

Fast Faxes are one of many forms of technical assistance provided by the Ecke Ranch. For additional information on Poinsettias, please consult our website www.ecke.com or for technical assistance, log on to www.ecke.com/techhelp. We hope the information provided will be helpful. It is based upon and knowledge (including information provided by the recipient) considered to be true and accurate, but without independent investigation and is offered for the recipient's consideration, investigation and verification, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statement, recommendations, or suggestions in conjunction with any conditions of sale or use which apply to any products, or systems recommended by us. No statement, recommendation, or suggestion is intended for any use which would infringe any patent/copyright.