Re: Protea longevity
- Subject: Re: Protea longevity
- From: G* B*
- Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 19:00:22 +0200
>> >
>> > 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.
Hi Moira. Sorry about the delay in reply here - occasionally I have to
work.
45 years for a Protea cynaroides would have to be the longest that I'm aware
of. As David points out, they're normally cut off in their prime, in the
normal fynbos burn cycle. Naturally, this is meant to be about every 10 -
14yrs, though it seems to be shortening all the time due to human influence.
They actually reshoot from rootstocks after burning, so I guess some could
be of a venerable old age & no-one would really know. One of the longest
growing patches of unburnt fynbos I know, where they occur, is in Nursery
Ravine, above Kirstenbosch, where they now must have in excess of 20 years
uninterrupted growth & still look strong & healthy.
Probably the longest lived protea would have to be Protea nitida. Some of
them would have to be over 100 yrs old.These can make beautifully gnarled
old trees up to 5m. They have a thick, spongy bark reminiscent of some
banksias & will reshoot again from under this after being burnt & carry on
growing. A lovely plant for the back of the garden, but very slow growing.
I envy you the P aristata. Its been a long time scince I've seen it in
cultivation here & doesn't seem very long lived in the Western Cape. I
always thought it one of the most beautiful of the Protea species. They
occur in the Swartberg Mountains & are most easily viewed in one the
mountain passes there. A magnificent sight in their natural setting.
Believe it or not we've never managed to succesfully grow any of these in
our indigenous garden - though I still have one struggling P nitida. I'm in
a band of very poor, heavy clay & they definitely prefer the open sandstone
derived soils. I'm happy for you that you had the pleasure of your
cynaroides for so long.
Regards
Glenn in Capetown
