Poinsettias Grown by Al'sGrown by Al’s poinsettias are hand-raised and carefully monitored throughout the entire process, requiring daily management of watering and exact fertilization. These “high-maintenance” indoor plants arrive weekly throughout June and July as cuttings from our selected four breeders, Paul Ecke Ranch, Fischer USA, Dummen and Selecta First Class. Upon arrival each cutting is immediately potted to develop roots in our own poinsettia soil mix. Depending on the natural timing of the poinsettia, some are selected for a special "shading" treatment. Those varieties that naturally bloom later are placed under a "black cloth" at night to give them extra darkness. This will initiate the color in their bracts causing them to color earlier. Some are "black clothed" for 3 weeks, others two, and still others only one week. During those weeks, they are covered every night at 4:00 and uncovered the next morning at 7:30 thus providing shorter days than we get naturally that time of year in the Pacific Northwest. This stages our crop based on customer demand for poinsettias from Nov. 1 to Christmas. Once the bracts of the poinsettias begin to show color an Al’s employee lifts those bracts from under the other leaves to expose it to more sunlight. This step is often referred to as “fluffing” the poinsettia, but it actually enriches the color of the bracts. As the poinsettia grows it is moved to give it more space to become a wider, not just taller, poinsettia. Grown by Al’s poinsettias are known for their fullness. Each poinsettia will host between 5 to 14 branches, depending on the pot size, with each branch having one bloom. All of these steps ensure that the outcome is the highest quality poinsettias available. If at any point in the process during the five to six months of managing the poinsettias an error occurs it could ruin a years worth of work. There were many exasperating years that taught Al’s many of the “what not to do” in poinsettia growing. 1997 was a pivotal year when Paul Fukasawa took on the responsibilities as Al’s Growing Production Manager. With him came many years of growing experience and a desire to produce only the highest quality plants. This year Al’s has grown over 50,000 poinsettias which make up over 50 varieties. Now Paul and his team not only grow poinsettias for Al’s retail store, but a large portion of these poinsettias go to various fundraising programs. Currently Al’s has over 100 different Oregon and Southwest Washington programs. This includes many schools, churches, hospitals, like Legacy Emanuel and Good Samaritan and organizations like the Portland Rosarians and Easter Seals. Each program receives the same quality poinsettia that can be found in our store. Why does Al’s grow so many different varieties? You know why when you see the flood of beautiful color; colors ranging from many shades of red, dark wine, rich burgundy, snowy whites, and hot pinks. Each poinsettia carries its own character with their bracts in shapes that are smooth like a teardrop, or V-shaped. There are oak-leaf and serrated bracts and leaves. Each style will find a home décor perfect for its look. In the last few years “Novelty” poinsettias have become the rage. Novelty poinsettias came from the rejects from breeding progrmas to develop a better red poinsettia. Some of the hottest novelties are ‘Strawberries ‘N Cream’ and ‘Carousel’. If you don’t find one this year that meet yours needs, just check in again next year. Each year Al’s growing team will look for something better and new to keep customers coming back year after year. |
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Poinsettia Favorites from the Bigej Family:
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