Eckalix

Poinsettia

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Freedom Red', 'Eckada' and 'Eckadire'

Summary: 'Eckalix' produces shorter and more narrow plants with fewer branches than the reference varieties. The leaf blades of 'Eckalix' are shorter than those of 'Eckada' and 'Eckadire' and more narrow than those of the reference varieties. Development of the leaf lobes for 'Eckalix' is weak to moderate while it is moderate to strong for 'Eckada'. 'Eckalix' has shorter petioles than 'Freedom Red' and 'Eckadire'. Initiation of bract colour for 'Eckalix' is mid-season while it is early for 'Freedom Red'. The bracts of 'Eckalix' are more narrow than those of ' Freedom Red' and 'Eckadire'. Development of the bract lobes for 'Eckalix' is absent to weak while it is weak to moderate for the reference varieties. Colour of the glands of the cyathium for 'Eckalix' is yellow while it is greenish yellow for the reference varieties.

Description:

'Eckalix' is a poinsettia variety with weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the stem. The broad ovate shaped leaves have a round-shaped base. 'Eckalix' has no anthocyanin colouration on the upper and lower sides of the leaf blade. There is very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the veins on the upper and lower sides of the leaf blade. There is weak to moderate leaf lobe development and shape of the sinus between the lobes is rounded. Incision of the leaf blade margin is absent. Intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the petiole is moderate on the upper side and weak to moderate on the lower side.

'Eckalix' produces many uniform coloured, red bracts, with initiation of colour occurring mid-season. Development of lobes on the bracts is absent to weak and the shape of the sinus between the lobes is rounded. Incision of the bract margin is absent. There is no folding, curving or twisting of the bracts. The broad ovate shaped bracts have a rounded base and very weak rugosity between the veins. Time of opening of the first three cyathia is mid-season. The glands of the cyathium are yellow in colour.and medium in size. There is moderate to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the margins of the glands.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Eckalix' was discovered at the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California, in December of 1996. The variety was selected as a mid-season flowering plant with dark red bracts and medium growing vigor.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Eckalix' were conducted at Ed Sobkowich Greenhouses, Grimsby, Ontario in the fall/winter of 2000. The trial consisted of ten plants of each variety grown in a greenhouse. The pots were spaced approximately 0.38 metres apart. All measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Eckalix' with reference varieties 'Freedom Red', 'Eckada' and 'Eckadire'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Number of branches

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Colour of bract (RHS)

Bract width (cm)