Protea Flower Growing

The sowing time for proteas is from march to may.

Protea flower growing. They re versatile and can be used as specimen shrubs in containers or as screening plants. When proteas are propagated by means of seed the following procedures should be practised. When establishing a protea or leucadendron pruning is a marvellous idea. Closely related to proteas leucadendrons sometimes called cone bush are grown for their attractive tulipshaped flowers and vibrant leaf colour intensifying to fabulous bursts in autumn and winter.

Their roots grow mostly horizontally just below the surface of the soil. Planting proteas on slopes or on slightly elevated mounds is often beneficial because water runoff decreases drainage problems. In winter they can usually handle frosts around 25 30 f. Prune back to the new growth for a neat compact bush.

If your garden soil is well drained and acidic and your climate frost free choose a sunny spot and plant the proteas out in square holes 500 mm deep. In about a year the plant will grow to about 2 5 metres high and 2. New branches must form underneath the flowerheads in the leaf axils and start growing. One of the first things necessary in growing protea is soil.

Harvest the seedbuds nine to 12 months after the plants have flowered that is when the plants flower again. Newer varieties burgundy sunset and gypsy. The young protea plants appreciate some well matured compost mixed into the soil that you fill the hole with. Growing proteas from cuttings is usually very successful and thus rewarding.

Most proteas have their flowerheads at the branch tips. Protea plants must have well drained soil. Cuttings should be taken from semi hardened plant material usually the new growth from the last growing season either autumn or spring which has hardened off for a few months. They also have a different leaf structure from other types of flowers as they are arranged in a spiral form in the center surrounding the stem.

Protea plants can grow to be anywhere from 3 13 feet 0 91 3 96 m depending on the exact species. If water is allowed to sit and pool on the surface the roots will become waterlogged and the plant will die. As an alternative to the common red photinia hedge consider using leucadendron safari sunset or inca gold with its mellow yellow hues. Protea plants are generally hardy but should be protected from frost.

This means that once the flowerheads are made the branches stop. After the seed has been harvested and sorted it must be stored in a cool dry place until it is sown in autumn. There is a structural problem too. Dig a hole twice the width of the container and one and a half the height.

Take care to leave the protea roots undisturbed during planting out.