DOes anyone have an opinion on spacing for a 6 1/2" crop .The crop does not have to be "florist quality" but needs to be next step below it.

14" spacing has always done well for us.

It really gets my pulse racing when I see the term "Florist Quality" used because it gives the impression that the small percentage of Poinsettias actually grown for florists are in a quality world all of their own and the other 99% of Poinsettias grown are rejects of a inferior quality! Every grower I know shoots for the highest quality Poinsettia He/She can grow whether they are for a special event or for mass merchandising. The difference in my opinion for a "Florist Quality" Poinsettia is a slightly larger size and a few more blooms making for a fuller plant. Those grown for "mass merchandising" are grown with fewer blooms and somewhat shorter so they transport better and more can be grown in a certain amount of bench space. Shoot for 100% of your crop to be "Florist Quality" and just grow smaller plants for mass marketing or groups re-selling for fund raisers. There are smaller Poinsettias grown in 6.5" containers and larger Poinsettias grown in 6.5" containers but they should ALL be of a "Florist's Quality"....Michael Pawelek

Many growers are using 14" spacing but some grow as tight as 10". It really depends where you need your finished product to be in terms of height and the varieties you are growing. Some varieties such as Prestige or Jester respond very nicely to tighter spacing and maintain good architecture and minimal stretch even at a tighter spacing. There is more to a quality crop than just spacing. Florist quality plants can be grown at tight spacing also. Things like pinching techniques, growth regulating, temperatures, and fertility all play important roles in finishing a quality crop.