In Ontario, at least, disease pressures were soft and sales were strong; but what about 'sell-through'. Here are some of the challenges that every grower has to deal with every poinsettia season: An ever-increasing number of new varieties. Lack of practical culture information on how to grow the new cultivars. If such information is available, it usually pertains only to certain geographic areas and not to all regions - which makes it even more confusing. The weather is never the same from one year to the next, so trying to follow exactly the same environmental parameters could be a disaster. Introduction of a new soil mix without proper testing. Introduction of a new chemical (pesticide, fertilizer, wetting agent or any other new product) without much - or any - testing, which results in thousands of dollars in shrinkage. This is an important point: the number one shrinkage factor in the horticulture industry is the introduction of new products without proper testing.
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