Poinsettia FASTFACTS

Independence™ Red

Product Description Dark green foliage Showy, upscale plant with dark red bracts that create a full dome of color 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.

Independence™ 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: Independence™ Red is easy to grow and performs well in a wide range of pot sizes including larger containers except trees. It is also adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions and is not subject to late season stretch. It has excellent branching characteristics with architecture similar to Freedom™ or Prestige™. The natural flower initiation date of approximately 25 September is similar to other poinsettia cultivars. Because of its 8.5 week flower response time, Independence Red is ready for market in early, mid season and is a natural follow up to Freedom™. Chemical growth retardant requirements may be minimal, but use if needed as determined from graphical tracking. Independence Red is responsive to A-Rest®, Bonzi®, Cycocel®, Sumagic® or combinations of B-Nine® and Cycocel®, if treatments are needed. For more information about growth regulating click here: Chemical Growth Regulators.

CULTIVAR NOTES:

• Independence™ 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
• Independence™ Red does not respond well to tighter spacing and should be given maximum spacing for best quality
• 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.
• Independence™ Red is not recommended for tree production due to its susceptibility to splitting.

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 Independence™ Red

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