Holiday orders were picked up at the blooming crop booth by florists, etc. at unidentified locations. Many staff who worked at the booth were seasonal. The Ranch's blooming poinsettia crop was also picked up at the "Ranch Pick Up."
Picture taken south of the Encinitas Ranch House (in the background). Poinsettia bare root stock was dipped in mercury to kill any pathogens or pests prior to shipping the stock across the country by rail.
Dr. Marc Cathey (left), director, U.S. National Arboretum, Dinah Shore (center), and Paul Ecke Jr. (right) on the set of the Dinah Shore Show. Paul Ecke Jr. promoted poinsettias on national television shows during Christmas. The Paul Ecke Ranch…
Paul Ecke Jr. promoting poinsettias on the Dinah Shore Show. The Ranch had to bloom poinsettias out of season to be featured on holiday shows as most Christmas shows were filmed in the preceding summer or fall.