Can you grow protea from seed?

Asked by: Kalan Boii

Most Protea require smoke to germinate. Once your seeds are dry use “smoke primer disks” as directed. Plant your seeds in a seed starting tray with ample bottom drainage and a transparent cover. Plant 2” apart and 1” deep in a 50/50 mix of river sand and coco peat, with soil pH of 5-6.

Are proteas easy to grow?

Protea plants are not for beginners and not for every climate. Native to South Africa and Australia, they require heat, sun, and extremely well-drained soil. If you’d like a little bit of a challenge, though, protea flowers are beautiful and very unique.

Can I grow a protea from a cutting?

Proteas can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Only healthy plants not subject to stress may be used for cuttings, and no cuttings may be harvested from plants that display any symptoms of disease.

Do protea flowers have seeds?

Proteas, Restios and Fynbos



One disc is sufficient to treat 100 seeds. Then dip the seed into a solution of fungicide such as Thiram (use whatever your local nursery recommends for roses) before planting it. You can buy some Smoke Primer® from our online store.

How long does proteas take to grow?

Growing proteas is a long-term investment. The initial selection of species is critical, since substantial product will not be harvested until two or three years (leucadendrons) to three to four years (proteas and leucospermums) after planting.

How do you propagate protea?

After you have selected the best stems take your cuttings from the base of the main stem. Cut the bottom of the stem at a 45 degree angle.

Can I plant a protea flower?

Proteas are hardy evergreen plants native to South Africa that bloom every year. They grow best in warm climates, such as USDA hardiness zones 9-12. You can plant them in autumn or spring, using a potted plant from a nursery or taking a cutting to grow 1 yourself.

How do you start a protea seed?

Put seeds in a coffee filter and dip them in 1% hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes to sterilize the seeds. Most Protea require smoke to germinate. Once your seeds are dry use “smoke primer disks” as directed. Plant your seeds in a seed starting tray with ample bottom drainage and a transparent cover.

Can protea grow from stem?

Growing proteas from cuttings is usually very successful and thus rewarding. 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.

Can proteas grow in pots?

Proteas also grow well if kept in pots, especially the pincushions. Once you have chosen a planting site, dig a hole somewhat wider and deeper than the root ball of the plant. Be sure to break up the soil that is removed from the hole in order to soften its texture.

Can you grow protea indoors?

Pincushion protea can also be grown indoors.

Can proteas grow in the Free State?

Protea dracomontana, the Nyanga protea or the Drakensberg sugarbush, is a flowering plant that belongs within the genus Protea. The plant is found in the Eastern Cape, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal and the escarpment of the Free State, as well as eastern Zimbabwe.

How do you grow a protea plant?

GROWING PROTEAS

1. Plant in a sunny position where the air circulates freely around the plant – they love windy areas.
2. They thrive in sandy, acidic, well-drained and rocky soils.
3. Plant in a hole twice the size of the container the plant came in.
4. Water deeply once a week for the first two years after planting.

Are proteas hardy plants?

Proteas are moderately frost tolerant and drought hardy once established. They’re equally at home in garden beds, as hedges, or featured in pots and containers.

How do you take care of a protea plant?

GROWING PROTEAS

1. Plant in a sunny position where the air circulates freely around the plant – they love windy areas.
2. They thrive in sandy, acidic, well-drained and rocky soils.
3. Plant in a hole twice the size of the container the plant came in.
4. Water deeply once a week for the first two years after planting.

How do you take care of protea flowers?

Here are some ways to help them last even longer :

1. Unpack the flowers immediately.
2. Cut up to 1/2 inch off the stems and remove leaves that will end up in the water.
3. Store flowers in a floral cooler or refrigerator between 36-50 F.
4. Removing a few leaves around the flower head will enhance the flower display.

How long do protea flowers last?

While some species of Protea can last up to two and a half weeks, most last on average only 8 days once cut and in water. However, they dry well and can add a dynamic point of interest to a well-balanced bouquet.

How do you start a protea seed?

Put seeds in a coffee filter and dip them in 1% hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes to sterilize the seeds. Most Protea require smoke to germinate. Once your seeds are dry use “smoke primer disks” as directed. Plant your seeds in a seed starting tray with ample bottom drainage and a transparent cover.

How do you get a King Protea to flower?

Their blooming season depends on the climate where they’re growing, but they usually only bloom for a few weeks out of the year. They thrive on little water, and usually watering once a week is enough to keep them healthy. Overwatering will kill them quickly.

Can I transplant a protea?

They have surface, matting roots that are easily damaged. This makes them very unlikely to survive transplanting, so choose your spot carefully. – Proteas are pretty tough once they’re established. Water at least twice a week in the first summer, even daily when it’s really hot.

Can you grow proteas in pots?

Proteas also grow well if kept in pots, especially the pincushions. Once you have chosen a planting site, dig a hole somewhat wider and deeper than the root ball of the plant. Be sure to break up the soil that is removed from the hole in order to soften its texture.

Can you grow Protea indoors?

Pincushion protea can also be grown indoors.

How long do proteas take to bloom?

The Protea cynaroides flowers at different times of year, depending on local conditions. However, the plant needs to be about four to five years old (from seed) before it begins flowering.

When should I take protea cuttings?

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. Spring shoots would be ready for cutting late summer/early autumn and autumn shoots late winter/early spring.

Can proteas grow in the Free State?

Protea dracomontana, the Nyanga protea or the Drakensberg sugarbush, is a flowering plant that belongs within the genus Protea. The plant is found in the Eastern Cape, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal and the escarpment of the Free State, as well as eastern Zimbabwe.

What does a protea symbolize?

With its mythological associations to change and transformation, it’s not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.

Are proteas poisonous?

Is the Protea flower poisonous? Protea’s flowers, its nectar, and the seeds are very poisonous to human beings, dogs and cats. In fact, all parts of this plant can cause irritation on the skin and pain in the mouth and tongue if they are consumed. In addition, the bulb is very toxic to children, so be very careful.

What is the oldest flower in the world?

Fossilized specimens of the Montsechia vidalii were discovered in the Pyrenees in Spain more than 100 years ago, but an international team of paleobotanists recently analyzed them and discovered that at around 130 million years old, it’s the oldest flowering plant yet discovered.

Is there a Queen protea?

The queen protea is one of the most attractive and sought after proteas. No picture can describe how strikingly beautiful and fluffy it is with flower head colour varying naturally. With its rounded bushy form, this protea will look great in any garden environment.

Is there a blue Protea?

Protea neriifolia, also known as the narrow-leaf sugarbush, oleander-leaved sugarbush, blue sugarbush, or the oleanderleaf protea, is a flowering plant in the genus Protea, which is endemic to South Africa.

Will proteas grow in clay soil?

Proteas prefer a nice sandy loam or open soil. Some Proteas are less fussy and are quite happy in a heavier soil although they will not survive in heavy clay soils. If you do have heavy soils it will be necessary to first mound the soil to improve it and then dig in compost and gypsum to break up any residual clay.