Poinsettia Trial at PVG
Pleasant View Gardens (PVG), Loudon, N.H., in conjunction with the University of New Hampshire, is opening its doors for its Third Annual Northeast Poinsettia Trials, November 28-30, 2006, at PVG’s Pembroke, N.H., facilities. A unique event in the Northeast, PVG plans a kick-off to the holidays with a preview of 129 poinsettia varieties. The event will feature tips on creating poinsettia “upgrades” and an opportunity for additional pesticide credits, along with the traditional trialing program.
The event begins Monday, November 28, and lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The day starts with a reception and a chance to see the extensive poinsettia trials. PVG has been growing 129 varieties from five major breeders since mid-July.
To see a complete greenhouse-to-store comparison, PVG mimics shipping stress by sending a sleeved sample plant of each variety on a truck run. Grown along with PVG’s own poinsettia crops, the trialed poinsettias are an accurate representation of how these varieties compare when grown under real-world conditions.
During the first day, PVG will offer informational seminars that will appeal to both growers and retailers. PVG will bring in Flowers on the Hill, a Hudson, N.H., florist for “Adding Value to Poinsettias at Low Cost.” The experienced floral retailer will give tips on increasing the perceived value of a poinsettia with quick and easy decorating ideas.
Jim Putman, PVG’s trial coordinator, will demonstrate another value-added technique – poinsettia painting. This latest trend entails the use of spraying plants dyes and glitters, giving the traditional poinsettia a whole new look and feel. A popular technique in Europe, painting helps break poinsettias into new niche markets and garner a premium price for this holiday staple – $1.00 or more per plant for growers and $3-5.00 for retailers.
PVG will also offer two 1-credit pesticide talks on November 28. “Controlling Insects and Diseases of Poinsettias” is presented by Rick Yates, technical support manager for Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supply. “Comparing Options for Fungus Gnat Management” will be a dual talk given by Paul Fisher, associate professor and extension specialist of floriculture and Alan Eaton, extension specialist of entomology, both from the University of New Hampshire.
To attend the Third Annual Northeast Poinsettia Trials, please RSVP by November 11 to lynnet@pvg.com, or call (800) 343-4784.
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