ASHS 2025 Conference

2024 marked Mississippi State University’s South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station’s fourth year to host a Poinsettia Open House. The goal of this annual event was to ascertain the affinity tendencies among retail consumers for poinsettias available in the US market. In addition, five new pre-release varieties not currently offered in any market were included. Results are intended to be shared within the industry. This event took place over a two-day period the first week of December (December 6, 2024 and December 7, 2024). The use of available poinsettias in various floral display arrangements provided participants with ideas for using these versatile plants in holiday inspired settings. Attendees were asked to complete a consumer preference survey in exchange for a complementary poinsettia to take home. The survey design asked for ‘favorites’ within the categories of traditional red, pink, white, novelty, and pre-release varieties. In addition, participants were asked to list their top 3 favorites regardless of the category. Overall, 60 total cultivars across these 5 categories were displayed in small groups of 6-8 plants each. Top votes getters within the 5 categories included: Reds – Christmas Feelings Merlot and Christmas Bells, Pinks – Maren and Jubilee Pink, Whites – Alpina White and Frozen, and Novelties – Superba New Glitter and Premium Ice Crystal. The entries within the pre-release category were identified as numbered selections. The top favorite within this category was a variegated dark pink/cream medium-height plant with large bracts. This new cultivar was also chosen as one of the overall participant favorites joining Superba New Glitter and Alpina White.