Re: Protea longevity
- Subject: Re: Protea longevity
- From: T* a* M* R*
- Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 11:17:18 +1200
Glenn Breayley 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.
> >> >
>
> Hi Moira. Sorry about the delay in reply here - occasionally I have to
> work.
Hi Glenn
Thank you for fitting my query into your busy life!
>
> 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.
Well, one thing my bush has never suffered is burning, though several
years ago half of it got so heavy it simply broke off, but later growth
very soon compensated for this.
>
> 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.
As I am unfamiliar with this species I looked this up in Matthews "SA
Proteaceae in NZ" and found that it is rare here and seldom offered in
the trade. As it is said to be hardy to salt winds and quite heavy
frosts this seems somewhat surprising, but the account also implies some
difficulty in propagation, which might account for this rarity..
>
> I envy you the P aristata. Its been a long time since 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.
Mine seems to be very happy. I got my bush about twelve years ago and it
appears extremely happy so far. Although available in the trade here it
has never been very common and I was lucky to get mine. I agree it is
vary beautiful.
>
> 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.
Our soil here is a light acid loam, but I ascribe much of my success to
the fact the site is also a boulder bank, so the drainage is perfect.
Even the most tractable garden species like P nerifolia can be pretty
short-lived out in the main Hutt valley on heavier soils, especially as
few who plant them seem to have any idea of their rather special
requirements..
Seeing your mention of Kirstenbosch, you might be amused to know that my
fine old bush is a child of the Gardens. Before I left Kenya I had been
receiving seed from there for several years and continued to do so for a
few more until, because of increasing family pressures raising four
kids, I had to regretfully admit I no longer had time to sow and tend
the seed.
Cheers
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata - at the Southern tip of North Island, NZ,
Lat 41°15'S, Long 174°58'E (Antipodes of Spain/Southern France)
