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News Release Distributed 11/18/08
The LSU AgCenter’s 2008 Poinsettia Open House is set for Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge. This event, which is being held for the 14th time, provides poinsettia growers and the public with an opportunity to view some of the latest poinsettia varieties.
“We have a beautiful crop this year with many new varieties,” said Dr. Jeff Kuehny, LSU AgCenter horticulturist. “We will also have on display results from a research project studying improvement of postproduction longevity.
“We don’t develop the varieties at the AgCenter,” Kuehny said. “We evaluate them for their potential to grow and market in Louisiana.”
There are only three poinsettia breeders in the United States, Kuehny said. They are Paul Ecke Ranch, Fischer USA and Dummen.
Some of the new varieties on display will be an experimental orange, a pink, a white and some new shades of red.
“Red continues to be the most popular color,” Kuehny said.
Those attending the open house will be asked to complete a survey to help evaluate the new varieties. This will guide Kuehny and his research team on which ones to recommend to the poinsettia growers in Louisiana.
More than 2,000 plants will be on display and will be for sale that day. Proceeds go to research at the Burden Center.
For additional information on this year’s open house, contact Kuehny at (225) 578-2158 or jkuehny@agcenter.lsu.edu. The Burden Center is on Essen Lane just south of Interstate 10.
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Contact: Jeff Kuehny at (225) 578-2158, or jkuehny@agcenter.lsu.edu, or the Burden Center (225) 763-3990
Writer: Linda Foster Benedict at (225) 578-2937, or lbenedict@agcenter.lsu.edu