King Protea, Giant Protea (Protea cynaroides)

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htop San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 03, 2008

King Protea, Giant Protea
Protea cynaroides

King Protea, Giant Protea (Protea cynaroides) bracts opening as observed at the Kula Botanical Garden in Kula, Maui, Hawaii in October

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Post #4489079
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Kell San Leandro, CA(Zone 9b) Feb 04, 2008

Gorgeous photo of a gorgeous plant. One of my true loves.

Post #4492964
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htop San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 04, 2008

Kell, thanks. I have viewed all of your wonderful photos of Protea. I fell in love with them too when I visited Maui. The blooms are fascinating as they progress through their different stages. I wish I could find some that are hardy in my zone 8b. We usually have some temperatures that fall into the mid-20s a couple of times per winter. I could not determine if this one is a red blooming cultivar because I could not locate photos that matched it exactly. It may be a 'Red Rex' (found a couple of photos that resembled it) or a 'King Red'.

Post #4493527
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Kell San Leandro, CA(Zone 9b) Feb 04, 2008

Thank you! It is darker than the ones I have seen here but sure is gorgeous. I have never seen King Red or Red Rex but I sure want to now. LOL

There are so many hybrids being developed, maybe they will find one that can take lower temps. The trouble is they need such different soil. I have spent 30 years building mine up to be so rich which would kill them dead. LOL

Post #4495053
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htop San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 04, 2008

My native soil is almost nonexistent ... solid limestone after about 2 inches. It is alkaline so I would have to plant one in a container (sure don't want more plants to lug in and out every few days in the winter) or find one that can take the alkalinity.

Post #4495272
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Kell San Leandro, CA(Zone 9b) Feb 04, 2008

Last year Home Depot had 6 inch leucospermums in full flower. They were so lush for 6 inch pots. Each had about 6 big blooms on them. I went nuts and bought tons. And if course they all were dead within a few months! LOL. I am mainly a lookiloo now.

Post #4495298
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htop San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 05, 2008

Kell, oh my, I bet you were really sad. Their blooms are really nice too. I fell in love with the 'Safari Sunset' when I saw it.

Post #4497254
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