Poinsettia FASTFACTS

Eckespoint^® Lilo 

Product Description Dark green foliage Dark, ruby red bracts Outstanding post production characteristics		Cultural Tips Outstanding for low light growing conditions Outstanding for small pot and basket production 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 15 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.

Lilo mother plants:

• produce cuttings similar to Freedom™ mother plants
• have an optimum cutting maturity characteristic of 5 weeks
• are adaptable to fast crop stock programs
• require protection from increased daytime temperatures that occur at high light intensities (5000+ foot-candles/53,800+ lux)
• are susceptible to irregular branching under high temperature stress

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.

FINISHED PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: Lilo is easy to grow and performs well in smaller (4-5 1/2”) containers. The natural flower initiation date of 25 September is similar to other poinsettia cultivars. For branched plants, plant and pinch within ten to fourteen days to assure good branching. Soft pinching with top leaf removal (removal of any immature foliage left on the plant immediately after pinching) is suggested for best results. It is important to avoid heat or high light stress on the young plants to assure uniform branching. Chemical growth regulator requirements are minimal for this cultivar, however Lilo is responsive to A-Rest®, Bonzi®, Cycocel®, Sumagic® or combinations of B-Nine® and Cycocel®, if treatments are required. This cultivar is resistant to epinasty and can withstand the stress of sleeving, boxing and shipping.

CULTIVAR NOTES:

• Lilo is slow to show wilting when the soil dries out. The bract edges may turn black if soil stays dry too long. Advise customers to monitor soil moisture closely for maximum post production life.
• High temperature stress can impact the branching characteristics of this cultivar. It is important to maintain average day temperatures below 85°F/29°C to avoid inconsistent branching.
• Lilo is not recommended for single stem production due to early splitting characteristics of the cultivar.

©1999 Paul Ecke Ranch All Rights Reserved

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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.