Proteas Warnborough College

Overview

This Proteas course from Warnborough College is primarily concerned with those plants classified scientifically into the genus ‘Protea’.

Key facts

• With the right cultural techniques (e.g. proper drainage, soil treatments, irrigation methods, feeding, pruning, weed control), you can achieve top quality, large blooms in what might otherwise be considered poor horticultural conditions.
• True Proteas come from Africa. Many produce spectacular flowers, with great commercial value as garden shrubs or a cut flower crop. The term ‘Protea’ is sometimes loosely used to refer to any plants in the Protea (or Protreaceae) family; though the scientific name ‘Protea’ is strictly confined to one genus.
• Even nurserymen and cut flower growers the world over, may sometimes use the term Protea to refer to related plants in the Proteaceae family, such as Telopeas, Leucadendron and Leucospermum (though strictly speaking they are not Proteas).

• similar soil and water requirements

• susceptibility to the same problems

• other similar cultural needs

• sometimes a similar appearance, in foliage and flower.