Anybody out there have success with growing Proteas in containers, particularly in Zone 7 and colder regions of the country where they are brought in for the Winter?
Plant sources, cultural recommendations, etc.??
Thanks - Jimmy
Proteas???
They need perfect drainage and don't fertilize with phosphorus-containing fertilizer, it'll kill them. No personal experience to share unfortunately, but I know they can tend to be somewhat tricky.
I know I can't have them because our humidity is too high, they like the air dry, dry , dry.
Oh yeah, forgot about the humidity thing! That could make things much tougher in TN--not as bad as FL on the humidity but still probably enough to make them unhappy.
I just love them!! We have a bunch growing in the San Francisco Arboretum and they get moist fog for hours a day. They get quite big. I think they are the most fascinating group of plants I have ever come into contact with. Presently I am gathering books on them and there are not many! Next year I am planning to take a few road trips just to see them.
Maybe you could try a Protea neriifolia which is one of the more tolerant of water and cold. I have read it can be grown in a climate with wet winters and dry summers, or even the reverse conditions and can even withstand light, brief frosts.
I do not find the bush itself attractive but then I do not like the dry, windblown desert look. LOL. But full of blooms, they are incredible. I would think to be happy rather soon you would need a fairly large container.
Kell, you have given me some hope. I have looked at them for a long time.
Also the Gunnera.....
I guess I always want the impossible!
Hap
In 1998 I attended a 3 day seminar called The Protea Festival , An International Symposium at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum .
It got me hooked on the protea family and I became a loyal visitor to the Santa Cruz arboretum which has the largest collection of proteas in the US.
If you google the UC. Santa Cruz arboretum I bet you will find a ton of info about growing proteas out of their comfort zone.
Some other speakers from the symposium might also have some excellent advice or a website.
They were :
Dr. Andrew Douglas - researcher on their evolution
Rodger Elliot - expert on proteas and other australian plants
Brett Hall - works at santa cruz arboretum
Dr. Gail Littlejohn - expert on the Fynbos region + proteas
Dr. Richard Criley - Hawaiian grown proteas expert
Ben Gil - californian grower and president of a protea society ( he was a good speaker )
Dennis Perry - californian wholesale grower of proteas. owner of perry's panorama . He was WONDERFUL ! gave out great information pertinent to californians who were trying to get the most out of their protea gardens.
Kell,
next time that you are down in the Santa Cruz area you might enjoy shopping at Norries Gift shop in the arboretum.
I have found some of my best leucodendrons , leucospermums, proteas , grevilleas, and other cool plants from this great little shop.
We have some protea growing happily here on the Southern Oregon coast. Embothrium does great, both in the ground and in containers. Banksia does great as well and my personal favorite is Telopea Oreades, the Victorian Waratah. This does good in containers as well as in the ground. All of them would like some protection from cold wind, but I have a bunch of T. Oreades from seed in pots and they are doing great.
Rebecca