We were wondering if Autumn Red is a good variety to grow for our early 6" & 8" pot poinsettia shipments & is it truly a heat tolerant variety as well? We are located in the south & anticipate another hot summer. We grow for the florist & they need early shipments that they place in churches early in the season.
Also is the Red Velveteen a good variety for growing 3-4' trees? heat tolerant as well - would you share in the scheduling of both of these varieties. Thank you, Martha

Autumn Red is an early red. Under normal conditions it's timing is similar to Freedom. It has good vigor and would size up nicely in your 8" containers. Autumn Red is not sensitive to heat delay. A sample schedule for Autumn Red in your location would be as follows:

6" - Transplant - August 20th
Pinch - September 1st

*add 4 weeks if you are propagating unrooted cuttings

8"-Transplant - August 1st
Pinch - August 15th

*again adding 4 weeks if you are propagating unrooted cuttings

Red Velveteen is a good variety for trees. It is a mid season variety with timing similar to Prestige. It is not sensitive to heat delay.

A sample schedule for a 3-4 foot double pinched tree is as follows:

Transplant - June 1st
1st Pinch - Mid August
Second Pinch - September 5-10