Consumer Acceptance and Preference for Winter Rose® Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima L.) Used as Cut Flowers

Abstract

The Winter Rose^® family of poinsettias (Paul Ecke Poinsettia Ranch) has been identified as a suitable poinsettia for use as a cut flower.  With curly bracts that resemble rose petals, they may add welcome variety to florists’ holiday repertoire.  Winter Rose^® poinsettias are now available in cultivars of varying color.  They are considered late season poinsettias, requiring nine and a half weeks to mature and come into full color from cuttings. The objective of this study was to determine consumer preference for Winter Rose^® poinsettia as a cut flower.  Consumers preferred the cultivar Winter Rose^® ‘Dark Red’ over ‘Deep Pink’, ‘White’, and ‘Marble’ in order of preference.  Consumers indicated a willingness to pay approximately $14.00 for an arrangement consisting of six poinsettia stems.