This is a good time of year for growers to evaluate their poinsettia program and make some decisions about next year's production. A direct stick propagation program, where the cuttings root directly in the finishing container, is definitely worth considering for stock plant producers or unrooted cutting customers. Since labor is one of the largest production costs, this savings can be significant.
Material costs are less since the cuttings root directly in the finishing pot and media.
Direct sticking saves production time. You can typically start cuttings about a week later than when propagating cuttings for transplanting. Propagate the cuttings pot to pot, pinch and then sell the excess production when the crop needs spacing. The wider space around the cuttings in a direct stick program helps minimize foliar disease problems. It may also reduce the need for chemical growth retardants during the propagation phase due to conditions less conducive to cutting stretch.