A New Poinsettia Cultivar, “Pixy Red” with Short Plant Height

A new poinsettia cultivar “Pixy Red” was released by the National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI) in 2005. A cross was made between “Freedom Red”, a variety with dark green leaves and dark red bracts, and “V-10 Amy”, a multi- branched variety in 2000. “Pixy Red” was finally selected in 2003 after the investigation of the growth and flower characteristics from 2001 to 2003. “Pixy Red” has red colored elliptic bracts. Plant height is remarkably short, thus plant growth regulators are not needed or the amount of application can be reduced to minimum level. Response to short day is so early that it is salable about 45 days after short day commencement. Too narrow spacing and shading can cause early cyathia drop.