With roughly 40 million plants sold annually in the U.S. alone, the poinsettia is practically synonymous with the holiday season. But did you know that San Diego plays a vital role in the development of the poinsettia?
We’ll talk about it in this issue and share tips for how you can keep your poinsettias looking fantastic long after the holidays.
Paul Ecke Jr. was actually nicknamed “Mr. Poinsettia” for developing 30 strains of the plant. His father set up the family business on a ranch in Encinitas after finding poinsettias in the Hollywood Hills.
Although the plants are native to Mexico, Paul Eche Sr. sold the plants from roadside stands in the early 1900s. While he would normally sell the mother plants to greenhouses throughout the country, it was Paul Eche Jr. who convinced his father to sell cuttings rather than the mother plants to growers.
After his father died, Ecke transformed the ranch into what would become the largest producer of poinsettias in the U.S. Among his innovations was exposing the plants to X-rays and chemicals that would produce different variations of the plant.
With a little care, you can keep your poinsettias looking strong and healthy throughout the year.
With a little bit of care, your poinsettia can not only keep its brilliance but also thrive.
For expert landscaping and outdoor lighting in San Diego, give us a call here at Juniper Landscape Company.
Our number is 619-334-9464 or you can reach us via email.