first published November 19, 2009

Remember Christmas 10 years ago and that bold, rich poinsettia that adorned your coffee table—the one you fell in love with? Want to reignite a decade-old passion with that same variety? Well, forget it. It’s just not that into you. Or, perhaps, what you don’t realize is that you’re just not into it. Anymore, that is.

True, you may have loved that favourite way back then, but your life has changed and so have your expectations. You want a poinsettia that looks and performs better than ever. Unfortunately, those old varieties simply don’t measure up anymore.

It’s not that the old varieties were bad. It’s just that we all expect constant improvement in poinsettias. Of the 30 or so poinsettia varieties we grow today in our greenhouses, not a single one was available a decade ago. So, why exactly have we cast aside some of our old favourites? Well, it’s all about taking the best of the past for building the best of the future. And while you may lament the loss of your previous relationship, here are some reasons to salute the new.

Today’s poinsettias are much less gangly and have much stronger branches than older varieties. This means far fewer poinsettia branches will break en route to the coffee table. That’s not to say plant breeding has produced steel-like branches, but branch attachment to the main stem is much more solid than in the past. Strong is in; fragile is out.

Many of today’s best varieties also have darker green leaves relative to older varieties. Modern varieties have more light-harvesting chlorophyll and are, therefore, better able to capture what little light is available in our homes. This makes for plants that look great for much longer than many of the traditional paler-leafed varieties. At one time, a poinsettia that lasted three weeks in our homes was considered durable. Now, we expect a poinsettia to last three months. Longevity is in; ephemeral is out.

From a grower’s perspective, the one attribute of new varieties that’s improved tremendously is one that is hidden—the roots. A plant that roots poorly is a plant that performs poorly in the home. Vigorous roots take up water easily and are resistant to root diseases. Just as solid foundations are an integral part of quality buildings so too are roots the foundation of quality plants. Roots are, as always, in.

Over the past 10 years, poinsettia breeders have also become a bit like haute couture fashion designers. At one time, poinsettias were only available with solid red or solid white bracts. But now, they’re just as likely to be orange or white splashed with red. The bract shape has also undergone an amazing transformation. New poinsettia varieties have everything from deeply serrated bracts to twisted bracts. Some even have oddly crinkled leaves, which look as though the breeder somehow channelled some Picasso into the foliage. Perhaps, mutant poinsettias are in and traditional are…nah, traditional is always in at Christmas, no matter what haute couture breeders create.

So, regardless of which new poinsettia variety becomes your favourite, don’t feel bad about severing your relationship with the old varieties. They’ve become the breeding stock for modern varieties. And they’re enjoying life in warm, comfortable greenhouses around the world, where at least plant breeders are still into them.

Note:

Check out some pictures of this year’s varieties at holesonline.com.