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Protea scolymocephala is popular with floral designers.
Once abundant in South Africa, now largely extinct in the
Southern part of its range, still common, but localised
in the North. It grows to 1 meter shrub.
It bears small flowers up to 2" with pale green
bracts and light pink center. Flowers from July to
November, peaking in August and September. The flowers
dry very well and are commonly used as focal pieces in
flower arrangements. The flowers are hermaphrodite, have
both male and female organs. Grey green evergreen foliage
with numerous and small linear pointed leaves.
On older plants the side shoots tend to be quite short,
so to encourage the development of new shoots and long
stems, the stems bearing old flower heads should be cut
back to ground level. Older plants also tend to become
woody and should be cut back to ground level, where they
will sprout again from the thick underground rootstock.
Hardiness zone 8, (-10°C/15°F) in Winter. Not well
suited to very dry areas or regions with very severe
frost or to hot humid conditions. Must grow in a sunny,
airy position. It can be potted or be grown successfully
as a garden plant in the right type of soil. Likes acid
sandy soil. Mixtures of 25% to 50% peat moss with the
balance being polystyrene or perlite has given good
results. Relatively low concentrations of nutrients are
required for normal growth of Protea. Good soil drainage
is the most important requirement for Protea production.
It requires a 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. Grow with a pH of 5.0 - 5.5.
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