Protea Today

Regions of the World

Plant life research indicates that Proteaceae probably originated in South Africa along the southern coastal mountain ranges. Some 140 million years ago, Gondwana (the Southern hemisphere combined into one land mass) started to break up into separate continents which, eventually, became Africa, Madagascar and the southern continents; Australasia, Antarctica and South America as we know them today. The ancient members of the Proteaceae family followed separate evolutionary courses on these now isolated landmasses as they moved to their current positions as they are today. Protea, Leucadendron (Cape Greens) and Leucospermum (pincushions) stayed mainly in Southern Africa, while their cousins, Banksias, moved to Australia. In New Zealand there are now just two living indigenous members of the Proteaceae family, yet the fossil records clearly show the land once supported a rich, diverse range of Proteaceae.

Protea today

Proteas became quite a novelty in San Diego and Santa Barbara (California) counties in the 1960 are when horticulturist Howard Asper first successfully propagated them. Thriving in the California soil, Protea flowers became a booming industry and were eventually introduced to Maui, Hawaii. Both regions are so closely approximate to the native climate and soil of this family that propagation has been, and continues to be, a complete success. Protea are grown commercially in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, South America, Hawaii, and California. As seen from the growing areas, protea flowers are more of a Mediterranean-grown flower than a tropical. Proteas have bi-sexual flowers in cone-like heads with colored leaf-like bracts at the base, and are greatly valued by florists because of their unusual beauty and long vase life.

Protea in the garden

Although challenging to grow, Protea plants are undemanding once established. Proteas are fairly specific when it comes to growing requirements. Generally they need open, sunny areas and free-draining gravelly, sandy or basaltic loamy soil. The soil is generally acidic with a Ph of 5 to 6.5 for optimum growth and production, and a climate with mostly winter rainfall. Summer humidity is resented by the plants. Best suited for USDA Plant Hardiness zones 8 to 10. They will not tolerate fertilizers rich in phosphorous. While pruning is not essential, regular flower removal encourages less straggly growth. Propagation is from seed, cuttings or grafting. Hybrid cultivars are usually grown from cuttings. Light frost is tolerated, once established. Cultivation of the soil surface surrounding the plant is not advised. Good air circulation discourages fungal disease.

Proteas do best in a full sun location with good air movement around the plants and cool nights. Aadequate water drainage is the most critical factor in growing Protea; if the soil drains well, good results can usually be achieved. Planting Protea on slopes hills or on slightly elevated mounds is beneficial, because water runoff decreases drainage problems.

Growing Protea in San Diego County

Where San Diego County ranks nationally in agriculture:

• 12th largest farm economy among more than 3000 counties
• More small farms (less than 10 acres) than any other county
• #1 producer of avocados
• #1 producer of nursery crops
• #1 in number of part-time farmers

San Diego's Mediterranean-like climate makes it an ideal place to grow agricultural crops and livestock products. More than 2.6 million people live in San Diego County, and more than 6,000 farmers call it home and make their living on 6,565 small family farms, 65 percent of which are nine or fewer acres in size. The high cost of water (more than $600/acre foot) and land make farming here expensive and encourage growers to raise products with a high dollar value per acre. Protea cut flowers are one of those high dollar values per acre products that require very little water.