Re: Proteas - longevity under stressed conditions

Hi Cahrl,
I don't know that my advice and experience on the
Protea 'Pink Ice' is really all that helpful in your
situation, as I don't have experience growing these
"hard".  I don know a gardener out in Martinez, where
it is both hotter, drier and colder in winter, who
does grow this one hard, and only occasionally waters
it in summer, and has had it also survive cold down to
20F in winter.  Where I have used it in gardens, it is
surely one of the easiest, most forgiving Proteas, and
not requiring the usual pampering that most species
Protea require here.

Naswering Moira's question regarding longevity, surely
20 years is a very long lifespan for almost any
Protea, and I have no experience with plants this old.
 I have specimens of P. 'Pink Ice ' that are
approaching 10 years old.  I wouldn't expect that
hybrid vigor would give this any longer lifespan, but
would make it easier to grow.  It easily tolerates
heavy clay loam and occasional fertilizer, without
signs of phophorus poisoning, but I wouldn't suggest
pushing the issue.  It has been a very easy container
plant with regular irrigation for me, and does bloom
nearly all year round.  I don't know if it would
exhibit any more drought tolerance than other Proteas
in very windy situations with sandy soils.  As
compared to much of coastal New Zealand or Capetown,
we have much milder winds year round, (breezy rahter
than severe gusts), and only get hard winds with storm
fronts on occasion.  Last night was one of them, with
gusts up to 30mph, and all the tall subtropicals that
were in full bloom, such as Montanoa grandiflora,
Dahlia imperialis, and various Heliconias are looking
abit worse for the wear this morning.  This wind came
out of the northeast here in Berkeley, which is more
indicative of fall Diablo(similar to southern
California Santa Ana) winds, and makes windtunnels out
of my usually more protected side yards.  These winds
have also ended the fall display of color on the
Lagerstroemia faurei tree, as well as the neighborhood
Gingko trees, both of which were incredible for color
this year, even without any particular cold temps to
date.

Regards, David Feix
in sunny but windy Berkeley, Ca.


		
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