Does anyone know where I can get Protea seeds or cuttings?? Saw some of the flowers in a huge floral arrangement at the Garden Expo last weekend. They looked like something i really, REALLY need. ;>)
protea
I keep seeing seed on ebay......
Guess I'll have to check there.
Anna,
If you do get a Protea, be very careful where you grow it and what fertilizer you use.
They are extrememly intolerant of Phosphorus. A Phosphorus heavy fertilizer or flower bed that has been treated with it will kill them dead.
How's the weather in WI? I'm originally from Mt. Horeb and don't miss the snow one bit. My wife gets a bit nostaligic about it, though.
;-)
eje, I read in my plant encyclopedia that the poorer the soil, the better. I would put it in a pot if I had a plant. I'll see what happens.
Proteas need deep beds or very tall flower pots to suit the long single tap root that they grow from.seedlings need pots that are at least 16 inches deep.They need plenty of limestone in the soil anda high PH.They come from limestone rich areas of South Africa.Seeds need heat and very touchy about watering when young.Less is better.
Eclipse is "right on" this one. Especially about the over watering the seedlings. I ordered one from Grassy knoll Exotics for $15.00 (I believe) and have read up on how picky they are. They are very impressive though. I just don't quite know how I'm going to manage with mine. Anna, Liz at Grassy Knoll Exotics should be able to help you. Here is her link. She has many other really neat plants. I got most of my passion flowers from her.
http://www.gkexoticplants.com/index.html
I just bought some seeds from www.banana-tree.com. I know that protea grow well where I live, so hopefully these will too. I have had good luck this winter germinating protea from other places.