Poinsettia seedling to branch, resulting in a bushier plant. In the late 1980s, university researcher John Dole discovered the method previously known only to the Eckes and published it, allowing competitors to flourish, particularly those using low-cost labor in Latin America. The Ecke family's business, now led by Paul Ecke III, decided to stop producing plants in the U.S., but as of 2008, they still serve about 70 percent of the domestic market and 50 percent of the worldwide market. The poinsettia has been cultivated in Egypt since the 1860s, when it was brought from Mexico during the Egyptian campaign. It
2014 Poinsettia Bowl deal with Navy to play in the Poinsettia Bowl in 2014. After defeating the South Alabama Jaguars for their sixth win of the season on November 28, bowl director Bruce Binkowski extended an invitation to play in the game. This was Navy's fourth Poinsettia Bowl, giving them the most appearances in the game's history. In addition to the aforementioned 2010 game, the Midshipmen also appeared in the inaugural 2005 game where they defeated Colorado State 51–30 as well as the 2007 game where they lost to Utah 35–32. It will also be the Midshipmen's final game as an FBS Independent