STORAGE OF POINSETTIA CUTTINGS

Results of investigations regarding the storage of cuttings of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Annette Hegg', 'Angelika') are presented. Contrary to previous investigations with unrooted cuttings or rooted young plants, preliminary results with the storage of unrooted callus cuttings are presented here. The cuttings formed callus within two weeks under ordinary propagation conditions in "Oasis" cubes (polyurethane foam) and could then be stored for four weeks under normal cold-storage conditions at 12 to 13° C, 85 to 95 % rel. humidity and total darkness. Afterwards rooting took place within two weeks under ordinary rooting conditions. In this case, the extent of the losses remained acceptable. However, longer storage periods of six or eight weeks led to significant losses using this method. Investigations as to the influence of storage on the subsequent culture as potted plants (single- or multiple-stem) or as cut flowers have not yet been completed.