Welcome to 'PEP', our “Protea
Education Program”. Our
ultimate goal is to educate and inform about the benefits
of Protea...flowers beyond the ordinary. Your questions,
comments and suggestions are always appreciated.
Remember to add this e-mail address to your address book to
ensure you receive our newsletter promptly. If you have
trouble viewing this email, please click here:
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com/05_May_Newsletter.htm. If
you missed any previous issues of “Proteaceae 101” please
visit this page:
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com/new_media.htm
Please enjoy and have a great May.
Flower-worthy dates in May
1st – Labor Day
14th – MOTHER’S DAY (Don’t forget this one!)
20th – Armed Forces Day (Remember to fly your flag)
29th – Memorial Day (Observed)
May
Birthstone
Emerald (green)
May Flower of the Month
Lily of the Valley
This month’s topic, off course…is Mother’s Day!
A gift of flowers is a symbol of life and beauty. Make your
mother feel vibrant, beautiful and incredibly special with
a unique bouquet of flowers that you personalize. Here is a
list of floral gift tips for mom, courtesy of
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com:
1. Send flowers with a note telling Mom she’s getting a
kitchen break. Then, let her sit back and relax while you
prepare the dinner sometime soon. 2. Send flowers with a
note telling Mom she’s breakfast in bed. Dads and kids can
prepare a special morning for Mom by greeting her with a
homemade breakfast in bed, on a tray adorned with her
favorite blooms. 3. Send an exotic bouquet of Proteas.
Gift bouquets of #1 Select Designer Grade Protea flowers,
typically sold only to professional floral designers, are
available direct from California growers for sale online at
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com. 4. For a very personal
tribute, write Mom a note telling her why you’re thankful
for her and have it included with the bouquet. 5. Have
roses or sunflowers sent to you and then on several stems
tie a “coupon” for a chore or project that you promise to
do. 6. Send a mixed bouquet with an invitation to a nice
dinner or Sunday brunch at real restaurant where someone
else does the serving and cleaning up (and of course where
you pick up the check). 7. Send flowers with a gift
certificate for a day off. Many mothers have said that what
they would enjoy most for Mother’s Day is a day off – truly
off, as in peace and quiet. 8. Send flowers with a “recipe”
on fancy paper that lists all the ingredients that go into
your love for your mom. Let mom know exactly what your love
is made up of.
For Protea care, arrangement and gift tips, visit the Web site at
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com.
The Web site donates 10% of
bouquet profits to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
International.
Our Protea ‘California
Summer Bouquets’ are now available
at http://www.DiscoverProtea.com
A number of subscriber to our newsletter, signed up because
of the Gem Squash we offer on our website. So this is a
tribute, and update to all of you. Gem Squash or “Skorsies”
in Afrikaans (a language spoken in South Africa) is a
summer squash similar to a spaghetti squash – just a lot
tastier! It is popular as a vegetable side dish in
traditional South African cooking. Whether you like it with
butter and sugar or salt and pepper, they are GOOD.
Growing Gem Squash in California has been a challenge. We
grew our first crop in 2002, and it seemed easy – the crop
was a success. The squash grew larger in a much shorter
time-period that we were accustomed to in South Africa. The
next year the entire crop failed. Why? It is difficult to
say, we do not know. One thing is certain, treat all seeds
with a fungicide before planting. Gem squash loves a sunny
spot – the more sun the better, and if they could talk,
their first words would be: ‘Gimme a drink, I’m thirsty!’
The 2006 crop has successfully germinated in our greenhouse
and will be planted in the fields after a hardening-off
period in the shade house. If all goes well, the crop will
be ready from August onwards. We will keep everybody
updated as to the progress. Keep your fingers crossed.
Follow this link for more information and Gem Squash
recipes: http://www.eureka-farms.com/gem_squash.htm
his is the time of year to start (or continue) your Protea
propagation program. Visit us online at
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com for your Protea Starter Seed Packs.
Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, comments
or suggestions at news@DiscoverProtea.com
Get those hands dirty!
people that are smarter that you are".
in order to get you most accurate and up-to-date information
about growing Protea.
nursery specializing in ornamental trees and shrubs for
Californian gardens. Their nursery grows many plants from
the Australian protea family, such as banksia, grevillea,
hakea and isopogon as well as small eucalypts, acacias and
leptospermums. They also grow South African leucadendrons,
leucospermums and proteas. Jo travels to Australia each
year in search of new species to introduce into Californian
gardens. They have seed and plants available for mail
order. The nursery is operated by owner Jo O'Connell, an
Australian horticulturist from Sydney. Contact Jo at
1-800-701-6517 or email: ausnat@west.net
(San Diego, CA) is a unique nursery called Barrels and
Branches. Meandering down the pathways you will enjoy the
tranquil sounds of water and wildlife, while discovering many
unusual plants that thrive in this area. This retail garden
center has a side variety of perennials, succulents,
California natives, fountains and fine pottery. In addition
to being a full service nursery, maintenance and design
services are also available. You will feel like you have
discovered your own personal retreat, welcomed by friendly
knowledgeable landscape professionals to assist you.
At the recent "Spring Home and Garden Show" in San Diego, CA,
they were awarded, 2nd Place Best in Show, Compatibility of
Plant Material, Perfection in Nomenclature as well as three
outstanding specimen awards. Visit them at
http://www.barrelsandbranches.com/ or contact Samantha
or Danica at (760)753-2852.
Lawrence brings to the table Protea knowledge from both
hemispheres. Lawrence is a second generation Protea grower
from South Africa and an active member of the California
Protea Association. He can be contacted at lawrence@rainbowprotea.com.
