Detailed Guide to Key Growing Points for the Poinsettia Variety 'Sunshine'

Yihua Horticulture 'Sunshine' production scene

This year the poinsettia family has gained a new member: the new variety 'Sunshine', launched by Guangzhou Yihua Horticulture Co., Ltd., is about to come to market. The characteristics of 'Sunshine' are very prominent, with a high degree of uniformity in the canopy surface and very good branching. Compared with Yihua Horticulture's flagship variety 'Gold Award', 'Sunshine' grows faster, reaching finished product 7 to 10 days earlier than 'Gold Award'; a 15 cm pot diameter takes only 90 days from seedling potting to finished product; it has strong cold resistance, and can grow normally even at temperatures as low as 12°C. Recently, the reporter interviewed Zhou Shiliang, general manager of Guangzhou Yihua Horticulture Co., Ltd., who gave a detailed explanation of the key points in the production process of 'Sunshine'.

Light control

At the stage when seedlings have just been potted, the roots of the young plants are relatively fragile, so light intensity should be reduced. In the first week, a layer of 75% shade netting should be covered on top of the greenhouse. If the seedlings are brought into the greenhouse in summer, some water should be appropriately sprinkled on the ground to increase air humidity. When the seedling roots are not yet well developed, excessive light will cause water loss, leading to dehydration and death of the seedlings. One week after the seedlings enter the greenhouse, appropriately increase light, keeping it within 20,000 lux as the optimum.

At around 15 days, observe whether the plant roots have grown to the bottom of the pot; if they have reached the bottom of the pot, pinching can be carried out. After pinching, light should be controlled within 15,000 lux, with continuous shading for two days. Plants that have undergone pinching have wounds, and at this time they must absolutely not be exposed to strong sunlight. After two days of shading, moderately increase light, keeping it between 15,000 and 20,000 lux. After the seedlings have grown in the pot for 45 days, when the plant canopy is about 25 cm, begin flower forcing. If it is summer, blackout treatment is needed; in winter, the lights should be turned off, that is, supplemental lighting at night should be stopped, ensuring that the plant's light period does not exceed 12 hours. After the bracts change color, control light within 15,000 lux, and the finished product is ready after 50 days.

Temperature and humidity management

The optimum growing temperature for 'Sunshine' is between 18°C and 28°C, and the minimum must not be lower than 12°C, otherwise plant growth will slow and the time to finished product will be extended. During the young seedling stage, the nighttime temperature must not be lower than 15°C, otherwise plant growth will slow; during the day it should also be controlled below 32°C, and good ventilation in the greenhouse must be ensured, with humidity not lower than 50%. After pinching, the temperature in the greenhouse is best kept within 30°C, and humidity must not be lower than 65%, because if light is too strong, temperature too high, and conditions too dry, lateral bud initiation and growth of the plant will be affected.

During flower forcing, the nighttime temperature must be below 24°C. The poinsettia flower forcing stage is also called the induction period, which refers to the time required for the finished flower to change color. During the induction period, if the temperature is higher than 24°C, flowering, flower forcing and growth of the plant will be affected. At this stage, attention must also be paid to reducing humidity, which must not exceed 70%, otherwise diseases such as gray mold are likely to occur. During the induction period, the temperature is best controlled between 16°C and 18°C, as this will make the plant color more vivid. After the bracts change color, the temperature only needs to be controlled between 15°C and 30°C.

Water and fertilizer management

When young seedlings have just been potted, the first watering should be with clear water only, and it should be watered thoroughly in one go. During the growth process of poinsettia, whenever watering is done, it must be watered thoroughly in one go; never water only halfway. Wait until the plant roots have grown to the bottom of the pot, then carry out the first fertilization. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are blended in a ratio of 20:9:20 or 20:10:20, diluted 1200 times into a water-soluble fertilizer before use. Then observe the plant's growth; when moisture is lacking, water, and fertilize at the same time as each watering. After the plant enters the vigorous growth stage, the fertilization concentration can be increased to 600 times or 700 times. After two bracts have turned fully red, appropriately reduce the fertilization concentration, diluting at 800 times to 1000 times. Throughout the entire growth process of 'Sunshine', the pH value should be kept between 5.8 and 6.2.

Pest and disease control: For pest and disease control, prevention should be the main approach, spraying insecticide once a week and fungicide once every two weeks. The most prominent pest of 'Sunshine' is whitefly, which is more numerous during the plant's vigorous growth stage. Whitefly takes only 7 to 10 days from egg to adult, reproducing quickly, so the key is prevention; once the pest outbreak is severe, the only option is to destroy the plants. During the young seedling stage in spring, growers also need to watch out for mosquito larvae, because mosquito larvae will damage the seedling roots when the young seedling roots are not yet strong enough. For this, a layer of lime can be spread on the greenhouse floor to reduce greenhouse humidity, inhibit pest reproduction, and conventional pesticides can be sprayed.

The most serious disease of 'Sunshine' is gray mold, and the key is prevention: greenhouse humidity should be controlled so it is not too high, and good ventilation should be maintained. Once disease appears, treat it with conventional pesticides. Another point to note during production is to ensure growing space between plants and prevent leaves from touching each other; if they are too crowded, the plants will become leggy.

Key Growing Points for the Poinsettia 'Sunshine'

Yihua Horticulture 'Sunshine' production scene

March 30 news from China Landscape Web: This year the poinsettia family has gained a new member: the new variety 'Sunshine', launched by Guangzhou Yihua Horticulture Co., Ltd., is about to come to market. The characteristics of 'Sunshine' are very prominent, with a high degree of uniformity in the canopy surface and very good branching. Compared with Yihua Horticulture's flagship variety 'Gold Award', 'Sunshine' grows faster, reaching finished product 7 to 10 days earlier than 'Gold Award'; a 15 cm pot diameter takes only 90 days from seedling potting to finished product; it has strong cold resistance, and can grow normally even at temperatures as low as 12°C. Recently, the reporter interviewed Zhou Shiliang, general manager of Guangzhou Yihua Horticulture Co., Ltd., who gave a detailed explanation of the key points in the production process of 'Sunshine'.

Light control

At the stage when seedlings have just been potted, the roots of the young plants are relatively fragile, so light intensity should be reduced. In the first week, a layer of 75% shade netting should be covered on top of the greenhouse. If the seedlings are brought into the greenhouse in summer, some water should be appropriately sprinkled on the ground to increase air humidity. When the seedling roots are not yet well developed, excessive light will cause water loss, leading to dehydration and death of the seedlings. One week after the seedlings enter the greenhouse, appropriately increase light, keeping it within 20,000 lux as the optimum.

At around 15 days, observe whether the plant roots have grown to the bottom of the pot; if they have reached the bottom of the pot, pinching can be carried out. After pinching, light should be controlled within 15,000 lux, with continuous shading for two days. Plants that have undergone pinching have wounds, and at this time they must absolutely not be exposed to strong sunlight. After two days of shading, moderately increase light, keeping it between 15,000 and 20,000 lux. After the seedlings have grown in the pot for 45 days, when the plant canopy is about 25 cm, begin flower forcing. If it is summer, blackout treatment is needed; in winter, the lights should be turned off, that is, supplemental lighting at night should be stopped, ensuring that the plant's light period does not exceed 12 hours. After the bracts change color, control light within 15,000 lux, and the finished product is ready after 50 days.

Temperature and humidity management

The optimum growing temperature for 'Sunshine' is between 18°C and 28°C, and the minimum must not be lower than 12°C, otherwise plant growth will slow and the time to finished product will be extended. During the young seedling stage, the nighttime temperature must not be lower than 15°C, otherwise plant growth will slow; during the day it should also be controlled below 32°C, and good ventilation in the greenhouse must be ensured, with humidity not lower than 50%. After pinching, the temperature in the greenhouse is best kept within 30°C, and humidity must not be lower than 65%, because if light is too strong, temperature too high, and conditions too dry, lateral bud initiation and growth of the plant will be affected.

During flower forcing, the nighttime temperature must be below 24°C. The poinsettia flower forcing stage is also called the induction period, which refers to the time required for the finished flower to change color. During the induction period, if the temperature is higher than 24°C, flowering, flower forcing and growth of the plant will be affected. At this stage, attention must also be paid to reducing humidity, which must not exceed 70%, otherwise diseases such as gray mold are likely to occur. During the induction period, the temperature is best controlled between 16°C and 18°C, as this will make the plant color more vivid. After the bracts change color, the temperature only needs to be controlled between 15°C and 30°C.

Water and fertilizer management

When young seedlings have just been potted, the first watering should be with clear water only, and it should be watered thoroughly in one go. During the growth process of poinsettia, whenever watering is done, it must be watered thoroughly in one go; never water only halfway. Wait until the plant roots have grown to the bottom of the pot, then carry out the first fertilization. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are blended in a ratio of 20:9:20 or 20:10:20, diluted 1200 times into a water-soluble fertilizer before use. Then observe the plant's growth; when moisture is lacking, water, and fertilize at the same time as each watering. After the plant enters the vigorous growth stage, the fertilization concentration can be increased to 600 times or 700 times. After two bracts have turned fully red, appropriately reduce the fertilization concentration, diluting at 800 times to 1000 times. Throughout the entire growth process of 'Sunshine', the pH value should be kept between 5.8 and 6.2.

Pest and disease control: For pest and disease control, prevention should be the main approach, spraying insecticide once a week and fungicide once every two weeks. The most prominent pest of 'Sunshine' is whitefly, which is more numerous during the plant's vigorous growth stage. Whitefly takes only 7 to 10 days from egg to adult, reproducing quickly, so the key is prevention; once the pest outbreak is severe, the only option is to destroy the plants. During the young seedling stage in spring, growers also need to watch out for mosquito larvae, because mosquito larvae will damage the seedling roots when the young seedling roots are not yet strong enough. For this, a layer of lime can be spread on the greenhouse floor to reduce greenhouse humidity, inhibit pest reproduction, and conventional pesticides can be sprayed.

The most serious disease of 'Sunshine' is gray mold, and the key is prevention: greenhouse humidity should be controlled so it is not too high, and good ventilation should be maintained. Once disease appears, treat it with conventional pesticides. Another point to note during production is to ensure growing space between plants and prevent leaves from touching each other; if they are too crowded, the plants will become leggy.

Key Growing Points for the Poinsettia 'Sunshine'

    This year the poinsettia family has gained a new member: the new variety 'Sunshine', launched by Guangzhou Yihua Horticulture Co., Ltd., is about to come to market. The characteristics of 'Sunshine' are very prominent, with a high degree of uniformity in the canopy surface and very good branching. Compared with Yihua Horticulture's flagship variety 'Gold Award', 'Sunshine' grows faster, reaching finished product 7 to 10 days earlier than 'Gold Award'; a 15 cm pot diameter takes only 90 days from seedling potting to finished product; it has strong cold resistance, and can grow normally even at temperatures as low as 12°C. Recently, the reporter interviewed Zhou Shiliang, general manager of Guangzhou Yihua Horticulture Co., Ltd., who gave a detailed explanation of the key points in the production process of 'Sunshine'.

    Light control

    At the stage when seedlings have just been potted, the roots of the young plants are relatively fragile, so light intensity should be reduced. In the first week, a layer of 75% shade netting should be covered on top of the greenhouse. If the seedlings are brought into the greenhouse in summer, some water should be appropriately sprinkled on the ground to increase air humidity. When the seedling roots are not yet well developed, excessive light will cause water loss, leading to dehydration and death of the seedlings. One week after the seedlings enter the greenhouse, appropriately increase light, keeping it within 20,000 lux as the optimum.

    At around 15 days, observe whether the plant roots have grown to the bottom of the pot; if they have reached the bottom of the pot, pinching can be carried out. After pinching, light should be controlled within 15,000 lux, with continuous shading for two days. Plants that have undergone pinching have wounds, and at this time they must absolutely not be exposed to strong sunlight. After two days of shading, moderately increase light, keeping it between 15,000 and 20,000 lux. After the seedlings have grown in the pot for 45 days, when the plant canopy is about 25 cm, begin flower forcing. If it is summer, blackout treatment is needed; in winter, the lights should be turned off, that is, supplemental lighting at night should be stopped, ensuring that the plant's light period does not exceed 12 hours. After the bracts change color, control light within 15,000 lux, and the finished product is ready after 50 days.

    Temperature and humidity management

    The optimum growing temperature for 'Sunshine' is between 18°C and 28°C, and the minimum must not be lower than 12°C, otherwise plant growth will slow and the time to finished product will be extended. During the young seedling stage, the nighttime temperature must not be lower than 15°C, otherwise plant growth will slow; during the day it should also be controlled below 32°C, and good ventilation in the greenhouse must be ensured, with humidity not lower than 50%. After pinching, the temperature in the greenhouse is best kept within 30°C, and humidity must not be lower than 65%, because if light is too strong, temperature too high, and conditions too dry, lateral bud initiation and growth of the plant will be affected.

    During flower forcing, the nighttime temperature must be below 24°C. The poinsettia flower forcing stage is also called the induction period, which refers to the time required for the finished flower to change color. During the induction period, if the temperature is higher than 24°C, flowering, flower forcing and growth of the plant will be affected. At this stage, attention must also be paid to reducing humidity, which must not exceed 70%, otherwise diseases such as gray mold are likely to occur. During the induction period, the temperature is best controlled between 16°C and 18°C, as this will make the plant color more vivid. After the bracts change color, the temperature only needs to be controlled between 15°C and 30°C.

    Water and fertilizer management

    When young seedlings have just been potted, the first watering should be with clear water only, and it should be watered thoroughly in one go. During the growth process of poinsettia, whenever watering is done, it must be watered thoroughly in one go; never water only halfway. Wait until the plant roots have grown to the bottom of the pot, then carry out the first fertilization. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are blended in a ratio of 20:9:20 or 20:10:20, diluted 1200 times into a water-soluble fertilizer before use. Then observe the plant's growth; when moisture is lacking, water, and fertilize at the same time as each watering. After the plant enters the vigorous growth stage, the fertilization concentration can be increased to 600 times or 700 times. After two bracts have turned fully red, appropriately reduce the fertilization concentration, diluting at 800 times to 1000 times. Throughout the entire growth process of 'Sunshine', the pH value should be kept between 5.8 and 6.2.

    Pest and disease control: For pest and disease control, prevention should be the main approach, spraying insecticide once a week and fungicide once every two weeks. The most prominent pest of 'Sunshine' is whitefly, which is more numerous during the plant's vigorous growth stage. Whitefly takes only 7 to 10 days from egg to adult, reproducing quickly, so the key is prevention; once the pest outbreak is severe, the only option is to destroy the plants. During the young seedling stage in spring, growers also need to watch out for mosquito larvae, because mosquito larvae will damage the seedling roots when the young seedling roots are not yet strong enough. For this, a layer of lime can be spread on the greenhouse floor to reduce greenhouse humidity, inhibit pest reproduction, and conventional pesticides can be sprayed.

    The most serious disease of 'Sunshine' is gray mold, and the key is prevention: greenhouse humidity should be controlled so it is not too high, and good ventilation should be maintained. Once disease appears, treat it with conventional pesticides. Another point to note during production is to ensure growing space between plants and prevent leaves from touching each other; if they are too crowded, the plants will become leggy.