Poinsettia plant named HL-1 Pink and White

A poinsettia plant named HL-1 Pink and White particularly characterized by its bicolor pink and white bracts, early and long blooming period, superior self-branching, fast rooting habit, ability to be grown in relatively cool temperatures, excellent retention of foliage and bract color, its double flowers, and by its compact growth.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of poinsettia 
plant known by the cultivar name HL-1 Pink and White, and botanically 
known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. 
HL-1 Pink and White was discovered as a natural sport found growing by 
applicant in a bed of plants of the parent cultivar HL-1 Red in Sugar Run, 
Pa. in November of 1984. HL-1 Red is disclosed in applicant's U.S. Plant 
Pat. No. 4,434, dated July 10, 1979, with the parent cultivar being 
introduced commercially under the cultivar designation Noel. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of HL-1 Pink and White was 
accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial 
selection in May of 1985 in a controlled environment in Sugar Run, Pa. by 
applicant. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in 
November of 1985 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics 
as herein disclosed for HL-1 Pink and White are firmly fixed and are 
retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
HL-1 Pink and White has not been observed under all possible environmental 
conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in 
environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. The 
following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown 
in Sugar Run, Pa. under greenhouse conditions which approximate those 
generally used in commercial practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of HL-1 Pink and White which in combination 
distinguish this poinsettia as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. It has the ability to produce 10 branches from a single pinched plant 
without chemical treatment. 
2. Can start blooming before Christmas and as early as the second week in 
November, and stays in bloom for three months, without loss of foliage or 
flowers. 
3. Can be initially grown at 65 degrees F., which can be lowered to 58-60 
degrees F. when half bloomed. 
4. Has double flowers which are resistant to fade. 
5. Can be watered without "dark spotting" resulting. 
6. Has hardy foliage which is resistant to drooping. 
7. Self-branching, with many branches being produced. 
8. Fast rooting cuttings. 
9. Pointed leaves. 
10. Resists bruising which makes it good for shipping. 
11. Compact plant, with decreased tendency of the butts to separate. 
12. The foliage and flowers retain their color for a longer period of time 
without fading, whether or not the plant is exposed to sun. 
13. Greater resistance to root rot.

Although the new cultivar is unique in many respects, it can be compared 
with in terms of its variegated bract characteristics with the cultivar 
V-10 Marble. The latter has a deep red-grey color near the midrib, with 
the background color being a dark cream. In the new cultivar, the color 
near the midrib is a pale pink, and the background color essentially 
white. 
In the following description color references are made to The Royal 
Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined at 
approximately 4:50 p.m. on July 8, 1986 under fluorescent light at 
Parrish, Fla. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Euphorbia pulcherrima. 
Commercial.--Poinsettia. 
Parentage: Sport of HL-1 Red. 
Plant description: 
(A) Form.--Double. 
(B) Growth habit.--Upright, medium height and self-branching. 
(C) Rooting.--Very fast, roots develop within two weeks and are rot 
resistant. 
(D) Blooming season.--Nine week variety, starting mostly in the second week 
of November. 
(E) Blooming habit.--Large bracts in double rows. 
Foliage: 
(A) Size.--Up to 20 cm long and 9 cm wide. 
(B) Quantity.--10 to 20 leaves or more. 
(C) Color.--New foliage: Upper side, 147B; under side, 147C. Old foliage: 
Upper side, 147A; under side 147B. 
(D) Shape.--Generally ovate, venation midrib to margin, tips apiculate. 
(E) Texture.--Upper side, flat; under side, smooth. 
(F) Edge of margin.--Repand. 
(G) Disease resistance.--Some resistance observed to root rot. 
Flowers: 
(A) Borne.--Compound Corymb. 
(B) Quantity.--Excellent. 
(C) Continuity.--Flowers continuously for up to three months. 
Bracts: 
(A) Size.--Up to 20 cm long and 9 cm wide. 
(B) Quantity.--From 18-20 per stem. 
(C) Shape.--Ovate with a repand margin. 
(D) Color.--51D in center of leaf along the midrib, spreading out unevenly 
toward the margin. The outer portion is 155A creamy white. There may be 
some lightening of the pink color as the bract matures, as shown in sheet 
2. 
Reproductive organs: Typical poinsettia.