Sowing method: Growing Proteas and relatives, compiled by Ton Vreeken. The best time to sow is in spring or autumn when the difference between day and night temperatures is approximately 12 degrees. Pre-treating the seeds of some Protea species significantly increases the germination rate and reduces loss due to fungi. Proteas: Dissolve one Smoke Primer™ disk (available from us) in 50 ml of 50°C warm water and soak the seeds for about 30 minutes. Smoke Primer™ is a product containing the chemical compounds from the combustion of, among other things, Protea shrubs. These substances activate seed germination. (In nature, ants and other insects drag Protea seeds underground. From time to time, Protea fields burn. The substances produced by this process penetrate the soil and are then absorbed by the seeds in nature.) Sow the seeds in a mixture of 3/4 cocopeat and 1/4 silver sand and spray the sown seeds with a sulfur solution (against fungi). Paranomus and nutty seeds such as Leucadendrons, Leucospermums, Mimetes and Serruria: A good method to break the dormancy of these Proteaceae seeds: Dormancy is most common in the so-called 'nutty-fruited' genera of South African Proteaceae. Germination in the aforementioned species is strongly promoted by exposing the seed to oxygen, which can be done in practice by soaking the seed in a hydrogen peroxide solution. Furthermore, it is important that the sown seeds are exposed to fluctuating temperatures during the germination period. The temperature requirements for germinating Leucospermum cordifolium and Serruria florida seeds have been investigated: it was found that the need for oxygen and fluctuating temperatures are independent of each other, but that each factor strongly influences germination. The daytime temperatures of late autumn and winter in the Western Cape are ideal for the germination of most seeds. However, there are a few exceptions. In addition to using Smoke Primer™ (supplementary or instead), you can use the following method to achieve maximum results in breaking dormancy: 1. Soak the seeds in a freshly prepared 1% hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours in a shaded area. Remove any seeds that still float after 24 hours. 2. Sow the seeds and place them at the following temperatures: for 17 hours at 8°C and for 7 hours at 22°C. It is best to sow the seeds at some distance from each other. Use the same sowing medium as for Proteas. Sow at a depth equal to the thickness of the seed and make the pot or seed tray thoroughly moist. Place it in partial shade and protect it from mice, birds, etc. Water with a fine spray or plant mister and ensure that the sown seeds never dry out. Once the plants are above ground, they receive less frequent watering. The germination period varies from 1 to 3 months depending on the species. The cotyledons appear first, followed by the first true leaves. Once the first true leaves have appeared, the plants can tolerate full sunlight. Transplanting Ensure that the fine roots are not disturbed during transplanting. If the garden soil is well-draining and acidic, and one lives in a frost-free climate, Proteas can be placed in a sunny spot in the garden. When transplanting, add some well-rotted compost to the planting hole. Proteaceae tolerate windy conditions well and prefer free air circulation around the plants. Mulching with well-rotted compost or wood chips helps control weeds, retains moisture, keeps roots cool, and adds nutrients to the soil. Potting soil for transplanting If you live in the Netherlands or another country with cold, wet winters, the plant will eventually need to be transplanted into pots and kept frost-free and not too wet during winter. The soil mixture can consist of: ▸ 2 parts coarse river sand ▸ 2 parts potting soil ▸ 1 part peat moss ▸ 1 part compost ▸ 1 part vermiculite or perlite. It is important that the soil mixture is well-draining. The vermiculite helps retain water so that seedlings and young plants do not dry out between waterings. Nutrition for Proteaceae Because Proteaceae are adapted to nutrient-poor environments, regular fertilization with liquid fertilizer will burn the sensitive roots. Use an organic fertilizer such as seaweed extract, worm castings, or hemp fiber compost. A low dose of Osmocote or other enriched artificial fertilizer (with trace elements) is well absorbed by the plant. Annually sprinkle a layer of peat moss or alum on the surface to keep the soil acidic. Fungi are a serious threat to Proteas. They sometimes cause plants to die suddenly due to root damage. To prevent a fungal infection, it is best to keep the plants relatively dry during dry weather. Only water the plants during the cool morning hours and never in the evening. Place the pots in a tray of water for about an hour each week. More frequent watering increases the chance of rot. A few important points to note: ∙ Never let seedlings dry out during the germination period and during the growth of young seedlings because the root system is very vulnerable. ∙ When watering, ensure that the soil structure is not disturbed, which could damage the delicate root system. ∙ Do not use bottom heat for germination as this increases the risk of fungal infection. When germinating, do not seal off the space above the seed trays in such a way that the air is stagnant. ∙ Ensure that the roots remain completely intact when transplanting. If the fine root system is disturbed, the plants often die. Good luck! Vreeken’s Seeds Dordrecht
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Sowing/planting time:
- March
- April
- September
- October
Harvesting time:
- Not applicable / Not known
Soil type:
Cultivation location:
- Indoors
- Outdoors warm / sheltered
Position:
