The Propagation of Protea
Protea, a family of plants that produces many kinds of colorful flowers, can propagate from the seed with the aid of water or smoke, according to Discover Protea. Cuttings can also produce protea hybrids. Does this Spark an idea?
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Seed Germination
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Protea seeds will not germinate unless they have absorbed water, received exposure to smoke or experienced low soil temperatures. Growers expose their seeds to various combinations of water, smoke and other chemicals to release the seeds from their dormant state.
Cuttings
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Gardeners propagate protea hybrids such as the Pin Ice, sunset safari and Jester varieties from cuttings. Cuttings ensure that the new plant will have the exact same genetic traits as its parent. Commercial nurseries raise their cuttings in greenhouses for optimal growing conditions.
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Growth
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Different varieties of protea have different growing cycles and needs. Pincushion protea, for instance, bloom only in late spring through early summer, while the Sunset Safari blooms as a perennial. Most protea respond well to many different soils and climates, though the King Protea species requires an environment that sees minimal or no frost.
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References
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