Does anyone here grow Proteas? I have questions, but they aren't in any forums category.

I'm so glad you asked, Carol. I've seen them in Hawaii, but never growing anywhere else. I keep thinking I should be able to grow them here, though.

Found a grower with a website, and it says they are in Fallbrook CA http://www.resendizbrothers.co... It's inland, between I-5 and I-15 and about halfway between LA and San Diego.

Here's an article on Protea from Sunset Magazine. Apparently they thrive in a "Mediterranean" climate so California counts but not Florida.

http://westphoria.sunset.com/2...

Thanks for the link! I have a grower that was at our Spring garden show, but thought I would try here first. I will check your link out, and mine. I know they grow here, but would like more info. I have seen them in the San Diego area.

Proteas are part of the Fynbos, a specific area at South Africa's Cape. The King Protea is the national flower of SA. I think you will get plenty of information if you look up the specific climate of that region.
I was so tempted to bring home some seeds after a visit in 2007, you would have a hard time not being smitten by these gorgeous and showy blooming plants.
Here are some pics of the Fynbos at the Cape of Good Hope

And some beautiful large Proteas around Swellendam.

Yes, they really are fabulous. I've been thinking all this time that they should grow in Florida because I saw them being grown for sale on Maui, but now that I'm thinking about it, the Protea farm was 'way up on the mountainside of Haleakala on the "dry" side of the island so . . . well, I don't think hot and humid would work well for them.

I sure wish I'd taken more pictures when we visited that Protea farm, but then, we had a 4yr. old and a baby on that trip, so my hands were full, I guess.

Well, I know they are dry growers and require perfect drainage, and full sun, but that's about all I know about them. According to Sunset they are "not for beginners". That sounds ominous.

I don't know if I would call it dry conditions? The Fynbos was not dry when we were there, one could imagine it quite damp right there at the ocean. And it wasn't that warm either in September.
Btw they also grow Wine in that area, at Stellenbosch. So they must have plenty of rain.

That's interesting, Ursula. Sunset recommends planting on slopes with fast drainage, and that's where I've seen them at San Diego Wild Animal Park. We're talking gritty soil and VERY little rain. Now that I think of it, the wine country to the south is almost the same. I was trying to decide if I could plant one in a large container, with the appropriate mix, but Sunset also says nonalkaline water, which may become a problem for me. I can fix the ph of the mix, and I can fix the consistency of the mix, but I cant fix how much water makes it into my rain barrels. There are Protea growers in San Diego county, so I might give a call, but I really don't like asking Growers, who sell their plants for advice. Andy, for instance, will sell you anything he has in stock with no remorse. That's why I prefer to deal with his help.

I didn't realized that, Carol!
I just thought that wine yards are in areas with good rain. I was used to the wine areas around the Mosel and Rhein rivers in Germany....

Btw this Fynbos is also home to Disas, an Orchid with very special requirements.
Disa cornuta

I surely don't need anything with special requirements!

Just a glass of wine?

No special requirements needed for that!

We're in a Humid Subtropical Climate, the same as Florida, and I have seen them grown here in Corpus. I'm not sure if special requirements are required, since I've never tried growing any. Beautiful flowers though. I think they would do well in your area Carol.

Doesn't the protea have some strange requirement re: fertilizer? Something like one of the NPK has to be left out of the formula? Can't remember the deets.

They prefer nutrient poor soil and don't typically need or want any fertilizer at all--but you're right in the thought that they do not do well with phosphorous. They just like fast draining, poor nutrient soil, with lots of sun

Hi @ctcarol These links may help answer some of you questions about growing Protea..

http://www.californiaprotea.or...

http://www.californiaproteamgm...

https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/...

Thanks, Jean! I'll check those out.

You are most welcome.

NO Phosphorous for Protea. You WILL kill them.

www.finebushpeople.com

have a lot of info on growing Protea.

Some are relatively easy - some virtually impossible.

If you want to try from seed, they have a large selection.

I have toyed with the idea of growing them, but always change my mind as I have too much to lug in.

Many are very lovely. I used to carry them all the time when I owned my flower shop. They look great in tropical arrangements and we were known for them. We did some spectacular funeral pieces.

That is a lovely link!