I have just moved to Bermuda from PA(tough life, I know). I am concerned about the timing of poinsettia production here. We are just now potting (small) rooted cuttings into 4". The 6" and 8" were potted within the last week. We have also just finished potting 10" belden baskets. Varieties being grown are Early Prestige, Prestige, Primero Pink and Primero White. Timing...all will have to be natural. As for height, I was told to get them 'as tall as possible'. No potted material has been pinched yet, but she would like to pinch some. My concern, is that the schedule is behind. As this is a totally different climate than I am used to, I am lost. Any help on a production schedule would be appriciated. By the way, we are still at about 12:20 minutes daylight. Thanks for your help

Debbie, stop worrying - you are suppose to live the island life now. Please give us a little more info. What is your production structure and what are your high and low temps now. Your schedule is not that far off for warm climates. Jim

Dr. Barrett...
Thanks for your quick reply. As for the production structure, the greenhouse has a dynaglass (?) roof (no shade paint on in), screened sides and top vents. The shade curtain is pulled during the brightest part of the day. The plants are holding well without mist and definatley want to root. The outside temps: usually highs of 84* and lows of mid-seventies (I heard there has been frost back in PA, by the way). Inside greenhouse temps are virtually the same. We have no lights, but if necessary to put some in to delay initiation to get some height, we will. My biggest concern is if there is time to pinch. The cuttings are extremely small, thin and many don't have roots far into the Oasis cubes, so they won't be happy with a pinch in the next week. There are some 8" Prestige (3 plugs/ pot) that are ready for pinch if we have the time. Thanks.

Debbie, your production environment is about what I anticipated and sounds fine for the climate. Your situation is generally similar to South Florida and the plants will grow faster than you anticipate. Pinching 4” and baskets this week and next is typical. The schedule is about right for non-pinched in 6-7 inch and a little behind for other sizes just depending on how tall they are needed. My guess is that this planting time is similar to what the operation has done in the past and the owner knows what to expect. You will find that the retail standards are not as demanding as those you are familiar with. I expect that PGRs have not been used in past and the late schedule helps keep plants from getting too big and soft. Pinching some and not pinching others is probably a way of spreading out the crop some and creating different appearance. Non-pinched will finish a week ahead of pinched from same planting and final size may not be much different. Talk to owner and see if you can get more info on when the finished crop is wanted and which ones they have pinched in the past. Pinched Prestige Early Red on natural days will finish about 11/20 and others will be 12/5-10. The Primero series is not done in the U.S. In warm climates, they are fairly vigorous and more vigorous then Prestige Red, but do not get as soft as something like Snowcap or Monet. A warning - the Primero series does not produce as much color or bract display as you are accustomed to. If you light Prestige Early Red to Oct. 5 or so it will finish about 12/1. If you light Prestige Red to Oct. 12 or so it will finish about 12/15-20. Good luck with the crop and let us know how it is going. You know there are a lot of poinsettia growers that are very envious of you; even if the crop does not turn out, you are still in paradise. Jim

Debbie, I think what Dr. Barrett is subliminally trying to say is that....if you find a nice sunny porch with a cot for him to nap on and a cool refreshing drink with a tiny umbrella in the glass, he would personally make the sacrifice to row over and help out with any Horticultural endeavor on Bermuda! ....Michael Pawelek

Dr Barret---thanks for the help. My grower is out of the grey area now. And Micheal, it really is only Paradise here until you have to fill up your car....gas is about $25 / gallon!

Debbie, I understand that gasoline is high there but it's not 850 miles from one side of the island to the other like it is here in Texas! I agree with Dr. Barrett's positive outlook of Bermuda as I have seen presentations of your island on our local PBS television channel.
Years ago I read an article that stated that when the first Europeans stumbled upon Bermuda they reported that there were five distinct roses growing on the island that were not indigenous and they could not figure out where they came from originally or who brought them to the island. A local Texas nursery called "The Antique Rose Emporium" still sells one of these roses named "Bermuda's Kathleen". If you ever get any local information on these roses please write to me by email...Michael Pawelek

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