Technical Information Bulletin

SUBJECT: Poinsettia Wreaths

Poinsettia wreaths are specialty forms that create great interest and value at retail outlets. Although large wreaths are the most dramatic looking, the long production time makes this a fairly difficult product to grow. Smaller wreaths may be created using a 6.5-7”/16-18 cm pot and a wire framework approximately 18” in diameter.

Cultivar: Select cultivars that are fairly aggressive in both their growth and branching characteristics and not prone to splitting. Eckespoint^TM Red Velvet, Red Satin^TM, Monet/Monet Twilight^TM, Pink Peppermint and Snowcap^TM all make excellent wreaths. Jacobsen Peterstar^TM sports are also outstanding in this form.

Transplant: Using 2 cuttings per pot, transplant rooted cuttings in early August (~wk 31). Position cuttings with root cubes towards the center of the pot and stems at an angle to be trained along the wire framework.

Training: Stems should be loosely tied along the wire framework weekly using a “twist tie” or string. 

Leaf Removal: As stems elongate and lower shoots begin to develop, remove leaves that create shade on the young shoots. Avoid excessive leaf removal during the life of this crop.

Pinching: As shoots emerge from the nodes of each stem, pinching will be required to limit the elongation of these shoots. Pinch all significant side shoots back to 1 leaf node by mid September. Pinch the growing tips out of the cuttings once they have reached the center of the upper wire support or by November 1st at the latest. If stems have not completely covered the wire support, do not pinch. 

Growth Regulators: Apply Cycocel® or B-Nine®/Cycocel to the pots as side shoots develop. It is important to prevent inside shoots from elongating, as this will distort the look created by this form. A hole should always be clearly visible through the center of the wire framework and plants. Applications of Cycocel in October may continue through the 20th, as bract size reduction is not a problem with wreaths.

All other production factors, such as fertilization, insect and disease management are the same as for other traditional poinsettia forms.