I did a ton of research and decided to bite the bullet with protea from the finebushpeople. So the one I had my heart set on - a beaut!! was SOLD OUT. They still are after 6 months.
Oh well - I tried one weird thing this year and killed every last one of em.
Welwitschia mirabilis
Screw the tuff stuff. I SOOOOO want to say that I grew protea. Hey - I am growing commiphora neglecta from seed. Successfully.