Christmas Feelings Merlot

Breeder:

Selecta/Ball

Summary:

This cultivar joins a growing list of reds with very dark bracts, the color of Prestige Maroon. As with the other cultivars, the color is rich and lustrous in the greenhouse but tends to be too dark and disappear indoors under fluorescent lights. Plants are moderately vigorous with large bracts that hang down and dark green leaves. Plants flower mid to late season, three days later than Christmas Feelings Red at NCSU. Plant habit and appearance matches Feelings Red and the other colors in the series. This cultivar was tested at Florida, NCSU, and Homewood.

Color	Vigor	Timing
Novelty Red	Medium	Mid Season

Trial Year	Bract Color	Cultivar Anthesis	Height (inches)	Diameter (inches)
2018	Oct. 7, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018	16.5	13.5
2017	Sept. 24, 2017	Nov. 25, 2017	16.5	11.5
2016	Oct. 5, 2016	Nov. 18, 2016	15.5	13.5
2012	Sept. 30, 2012	Nov. 28, 2012	13.5	12.5
2010	Oct. 1, 2010	Nov. 27, 2010	15.5	14.0
2009	Sept. 30, 2009	Nov. 28, 2009	16.0	13.0
2008	Sept. 25, 2008	Nov. 24, 2008	15.0	11.5