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Protea lepicarpodendron is commonly name Black Beard
Sugarbush. The natural habitat of Protea
lepicarpodendron is South Africa. Protea lepicarpodendron is
a fast grower, small evergreen shrub, which may grow to
about 2-3 metres in the garden. A very ornamental
plant. It looks wonderful in the garden and as a cut-flower
in a tall vase.
This plant looks a lot like Protea neriifolia, except the
flowers are cream to pink and heavily bearded with brown
and purple/black hairs.The flowers are hermaphrodite,
have both male and female organs and are pollinated by
bees. Flowering all year round, depending on the locality.
Bushes need to be pruned regularly to maintain their
shape and promote flowers with long stems. When the shrub
has finished flowering it is essential to cut off the old
flowers. This will allow energy to be used for the growth of new stems at the end of
which will be new flowers. It is best to cut the
flowering stem back to about 10-12 cm from the preceeding
branch.
Hardiness zone 9, (-5°C/25°F). Plants tolerate both
coastal conditions and temperatures down to about -5°c,
although prolonged frosts, or frosts combined with cold
dry winds will cause damage.
The plant prefers sandy soils and granite. Requires well-drained
soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. This Protea
prefers acid soils. It requires dry or moist soil. Those
plants are very sensitive to nitrates and phosphates in
the soil, these can prove toxic even at moderate levels.
When fertilizing, use a product which contains no
phosphorus. Plants may also suffer from magnesium
deficiency.
It cannot grow in the shade. Dislikes high humidity or
windless days. Requires full exposure to the sun.
Requires a position with good air circulation, but sheltered from cold winds.
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