Practical
Plants

Protea cynaroides

King Protea

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Protea genus in the family Proteaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Protea
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The sweet nectar from the flowers is consumed directly[3].

Product or use
Nectar

Environment

Range
S. Africa - Cape Province.
Habitat
Moist areas in poor sandy soils at elevations of 100 - 1,000 metres[6]. Plants have also been found growing in rock crevices at elevations up to 1,500 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in individual pots in a greenhouse. See notes above on soil requirements. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood. July/August in a frame[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a very well-drained light soil[1][2], preferably on the poor side[5], with plenty of humus and sand[1]. Requires a pH of 6.5 or lower[5]. Plants are very difficult to grow[4], they are sensitive to nitrates and phosphates in the soil, these can prove toxic even at moderate levels[5]. Plants require reasonable potassium levels[6] and may also suffer from magnesium deficiency[5]. Requires a position with good air circulation[1][2], but sheltered from cold winds[5]. Dislikes warm sultry or windless days[1][2]. Requires full exposure to the sun[5]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, but they can be grown outdoors in selected areas. They tolerate slight short-lived frosts once they are established. Plants at Tresco on the Scilly Islands tolerated temperatures down to -9°c over a period of 10 days[5]. Plants generally tolerate temperatures down to about -6°c, although prolonged frosts, or frosts combined with cold dry winds will cause damage[2]. They are best grown in a cool greenhouse, but plants can be placed outdoors in the summer[1]. A very ornamental plant[1]. A good bee plant, providing an abundance of nectar[7]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and should be grown in pots until they are planted into their final positions[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  2. RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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