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Cultural Care
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Planting Protea
Plant proteas in the cool months of fall and winter. In hot, inland areas, site richly colored plants in a northern exposure so that the harsh sun does not fade the pigments. Along the coast, sunlight is less of a problem. Install a drip-irrigation system. Supply each plant with a 1-gallon/hour emitter. Overhead sprinklers are not recommended. Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the nursery container. Fill the hole up halfway with the native soil, into which you add a handful of peat moss to acidify the mixture. Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain. If it does not drain quickly, you have selected the wrong location for your protea. Place the plant so that it is slightly higher than it was in the nursery pot. Higher placement ensures that water drains away from the base of the plant rather than collecting at the base. Water lightly immediately after planting, and again the next day. In the first year, water two or three times a week, 30 to 45 minutes depending on the heat and drainage. After the first year, water three hours once a week in summer. In a winter with a normal rainfall year, do not water throughout the winter. In drought, water occasionally. After years four and five, water two or three times a week in summer, a total of 10 to 15 gallons over the course of a week.
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www.californiaproteamgmt.com
© 1997 - 2005
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