The Proteaceae family
Proteas are from the proteaceae family, one of the oldest families in the world.
The plants of this family are native to Australia and South Africa. In South Africa, you will find mostly proteas, leucospermums and leucadendrons, while in Australia, you will find more plants belonging to the genera banksias, telopeas and many grevilleas.
The proteas of South Africa bloom in spring and fall, while the protaceae of Australia can bloom in winter, spring and fall.
None of them bloom in summer; this is their vegetative rest period. It corresponds to the winter season in their country of origin.
They all have an evergreen foliage.
Tips for growing proteas
Most of the proteas from South Africa require full sun, a poor, acid and drained soil. Their hardiness is within a temperature range of - 4°C to - 10°C.
The proteaceae of Australia are a little more rustic (- 10°C / -12°C). Some of them, such as the telopeas, appreciate more a mid-shade or even a shade exposure.
Pruning advice for proteas
South African proteas must be pruned.
Indeed, it is the new branches which carry the flowers. To force the plant to branch out and produce new branches, it is necessary to prune the old ones.
As for the Australian proteas, it is rarely necessary to prune them, because the branching occurs naturally from the faded flower buds.
Who can host proteas?
Brittany offers ideal growing conditions for proteas; it is neither very cold nor very hot. If you live on the French Riviera, you can also try growing them, although your plants will suffer from the summer heat.
Diseases of proteas
Proteas are little attacked by pests but on the other hand, they are very sensitive to a pathogenic fungus: the phytophthora. To prevent this contamination, it is usual to spray, when the weather is hot (a condition that favors the development of the fungus) a preventive systemic fungicide, Aliette (non organic), widely used for the protection of conifers.
To discover
- Telopea speciosissima, commonly called Waratah, emblem of Australia
- Protea cynaroides 'Little princess', which forms a pretty small shrub, 1 m high and 80 cm wide.
