A trait that determines the potential for developing a dense plant canopy and its ornamental value. It is characterized by the number of effective lateral shoots that develop after the apical meristem is pinched.
In the reference
4
varieties
crop Poinsettia,
where this is mentioned in the description.
To evaluate poinsettia branching, a quantitative count of lateral shoots at least 0.5 cm in length is conducted approximately three weeks after the removal of the apical meristem. Varieties are classified from low-branching, which require regular manual pinching to overcome apical dominance, to high-branching types that form a dense canopy with minimal intervention.
High branching rates reduce labor costs during production and increase the commercial value of the plant. The genetic ability for free branching is a priority area in breeding, replacing historical methods of stimulating bushiness using latent phytoplasma infections. Irregular branching can be caused by nutrient imbalances, particularly nitrogen deficiency, or stress conditions during the growing period.
General information about the subject — on the page
Branching.
Varieties of Poinsettia mentioned in the description
Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.