A few days ago a friend very kindly gave me some mixed Protea seed she brought back from South Africa. I had a quick google and see that they like VERY well drained soil, plenty of air and no fertiliser. So I sowed them today in 1/3 multipurpose compost 2/3 sharp sand, with an extra sand topping. Does this sound right? Can I put them in a propagator, when they like fresh air circulating them? Does anyone have any tips on growing them. The packet said protect from frost the first year. Does this mean that in later years they will survive outside in North Yorkshire blizzards?
Hi Peter, I have grown some in the past and am in the process of growing on a cyanoides and just planted yesterday aurea. Lime free compost is whats needed, I sowed mine in ericaceous compost mixed with the same quantity of sharp grit, and they are in the propagator, they will be removed as soon as they show. Mine came last year with a disc of paper inpregnated with smoke, this is soaked in water and used for the first watering. The reasoning behind it is that the seed germinates better after a fire, as many S.A. plants do. This time I just sprinkled with fresh bonfire ash and watered it in. I think its phosphate that they dont like, so I tend to feed sparingly, but they do respond to feeding, so I dont think starvation is a good idea. Fresh air yes, and no damp humid conditions in winter, summer full sun and as much heat and water as you can give them, but be carefull of those cool cloudy summer days and a wet rootball. As for the last bit, no, I dont think they will survive outside unless you have a very sheltered hot spot in your garden.
ou er PeterS - you are getting a bit exotic for north yorks! As to using propagator, today my greenhouse topped well over 40 degrees and I was trying to stop all my seeds baking. I potted on some beans from root trainers and the soil was VERY hot to touch, just amazing. good luck with your protea
I assume they were baked beans then - Waco :D And yes it was hot. Many thanks Pete for your comments. The seed packet gave very little information - it just said they were easy to grow! I saw that some sellers were including a smoke primer - I couldn't think what it was. If scarification and stratification are intermediate level seed skills, smoke priming is definately advanced! I found this info http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/events/londonlectures/southafricanprotea.asp It says that phosphate is toxic to protea - so what do you feed it?
Waco you may have to consider a fan its only spring yet, I purchased a 18" one from Argos to keep the polytunnel cool this weekend it makes a big difference
now thats a point Walnut - my heater also doubles as fan so better get it set up! I think I will also need some shading by the sounds of it too.
I read the link Peter, interestingly written by someone who gardens on Tresco, so he's growing the in the soil outside. I can well imagine that no feeding would be needed in such conditions. My plan is to feed with a very weak liquid feed occasionally, I did do this with my last plant which grew well and flowered, I've already given my small plant a feed this spring and intend potting it on soon, its only in a four in pot. I've not checked, but Chempak do, do specialist feeds, maybe they have a phosphate free one. I think they are easy to grow, I tend to treat them as half way between a normal flowering shrub and a cactus. :D
www.trevenacross.co.uk have an online cultural info leaflet for Proteas and Banksias et al...dunno if it will tell you anything new....but I wish I hadn't looked!!!! :rolleyes: Be strong Windy...... :D :D
They really have got loads of plants windy, I remember buying some fish and chips in Helston a long time ago, anyway they have the feed Peter may be looking for.
I've had a few plants from there - it has a kiddies play area,a stroke of genius! :D Proteas are one of their specialities, everytime I go I drool over them... :D
Windy - thanks a lot for the link - thats really good. I didn't know there was special Protea feed. Pete - Are you recommending fish and chips from Helston as food for the Protea :D I am glad you are getting on well with them - I am sure I will be back for some specialist advice.
