Re: Protea longevity
- Subject: Re: Protea longevity
- From: T* a* M* R*
- Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 11:07:29 +1200
david feix wrote:
>
> --- Tony and Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
>
> >
> > What I really wanted to raise with you was whether
> > you have any
> > information on the likely lifespans of Proteas. In
> > particular I am
> > seeking information on P.cynaroides.
> >
> > A little over 45 years ago I raised a bush of this
> > species from seed
> > (the only one I ever managed) and have enjoyed it
> > ever since.
>
> Moira,
>
> I would hazard a guess that wildfires are the more
> usual limit to longevity for most Proteas in habitat,
> similar to the situation here in California for native
> chaparral species. Most proteas are therefore not
> particularly adapted for long life in the wild, but
> instead to taking advantage of newly cleared soils
> after a burn.
>
> Here in California, it seems to be our irregular hard
> freezes which do them in. The once stunning
> collection of Leucospermum species in particular at
> both UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz Botanic Gardens
> have never been replaced with the variety they once
> had. I've several Leucospermum and Leucodendrons in
> full bloom at present, I wouldn't be without them,
> even though they are somewhat tender here.
David
Thank for this most interesting information. On the basis of your final
paragraph I am inclined to think that, though my once-beautiful bush was
probably just beginning to feel the effects of old age (with which I
myself can sympathise <G>), it was that once-in-many-years deep frost
last winter here which finally caused an irrevocable slide from health.
It has stood similar lows a few times before, but then it was anyway in
vigorous health and they had no visible effect on it.
I keep on looking at the poor thing and am loath to let it go, but I
fear it is getting sadder every week and a return to health is unlikely.
It is going to leave an enormous gap in the bed, but I have a large bush
of Senechio cineraria (at least I presume it is, as mine seems to be an
exceptionally vigorous form, but non-flowering) which is proving an
embarrasment to its neighbours in its present position and would I think
be just the thing for filling such a large bare space. I feel I want
something quick-growing now, as I doubt I have enough years left for the
leisurely growing of any Protea as replacement. Anyway it would quite
likely be a mistake to try and grow another Protea on that site.
My Senecio came in the first place with little difficulty from a cutting
supplied by a friend, so I have just started a few new slips off in the
hopes of having something ready to plant out next spring. It is a lovely
thing, being pretty near to pure white, and stands out on the hillside
like a silver beacon. I shall look forward to having it somewhere that
it can spread all it likes instead of having to be trimmed every few
months to keep it from smothering its neighbours (which include a very
nice bush of Pachystegia, which is presently having its style distinctly
cramped).
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata NZ,
where it's Summer in January and Winter in July.
