b'BREEDING HISTORY / POINSETTIASExploring the innovations and breakthroughs of breeding throughout generations of plants.IN THE 1920S,PAUL ECKE, SR., WAS INSTRUMENTAL INESTABLISHING POINSETTIASIN THE U.S. BY GROWING THEMAS A CUT FLOWER IN HOLLYWOODAND BEVERLY HILLS.23% IS THE PERCENTAGE POINSETTIAS MAKE UP OF ALL POTTED PLANT SALES. 100IS THE APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF VARIETIES OF POINSETTIAS AVAILABLE TODAY. December 12IS NATIONAL POINSETTIA DAY.5,000IS THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALS RANDOM ACTS OF FLOWERS DELIVERS POINSETTIAS TO DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR A LITTLE EXTRA CHEER. 1600s 1825 1950sFRANCISCAN PRIESTS BEGIN USINGFIRST U.S. AMBASSADOR TOACTIVE BREEDING OF POINSETTIAS BEGAN POINSETTIAS TO SYMBOLIZE THEMEXICO JOEL ROBERTS POINSETTTO DEVELOP CULTIVARS THAT WOULD BLOOD OF CHRISTDURING NATIVITYINTRODUCED THE FLOWER RETAIN THEIR LEAVES AND BRACTS FOR PROCESSIONS.TO THE U.S. LONGER PERIODS OF TIME.Sources: Colorado State University, University of Minnesota Extension, University of Vermont Extension148/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'