How to Grow Protea From Cuttings
There are 1,400 species of protea, most of which are native to Australia, southern Africa, and South America. However, many protea grow well in the United States and are an excellent low-maintenance plant. Most protea are evergreen, love slightly acidic, poor quality soil and full sun, and will bloom if kept in a warm area. Protea is also generally easy to grow from a cutting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pruning shears
- Sealable plastic bag
- Rooting hormone
- Coarse river sand
- Peat moss
- Mister
Instructions
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Choose cutting material carefully. The branches used for cuttings should be semi-hard. In the fall, choose spring's new growth for cuttings. Although you'll have the best luck propogating protea cuttings in the fall, it's possible to also do it in the spring; at that time of year, choose fall's new growth for cuttings.
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Cut branches just below a flower or forming bud, using clean pruning shears. It's best to take cuttings in the morning, while it's moist and cool.
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Spray a large, sealable plastic bag with water.
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Place the cutting inside the plastic bag and seal. Store for up to 3 hours in a cool location, away from the sun or other heat source--although it's best to plant the cutting as soon as possible
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Cut off the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the cutting's stem.
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Dip the bottom of the cutting in growth hormone and shake off any excess.
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Mix together two parts coarse sand and one part peat moss and place in flats or pots.
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Remove the cutting from the plastic bag and stick into prepared pots or flats, leaving only the top third of the cutting above the potting mixture.
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Water the cuttings with a mister.
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Keep the cuttings moist and warm, misting as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
You'll be able to tell the cuttings have taken root when you give them a gentle tug and they resist.
Repot rooted cuttings in a bigger pot and in the spring, begin taking them outdoors a little at a time each day until they can spend the entire day outside. Then plant the young protea in full sun in well-draining soil.
Generally, protea should not be fertilized; they prefer poor soil. However, you may mulch with an organic material like leaves or wood chips. This helps retain moisture and adds some nutrients to the soil.
Do not overwater protea. They don't like "wet feet," and are prone to rot if overwatered.
Small protea may be grown in pots, but do not choose a potting soil with time-released fertilizer.
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Comments
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Thank you for your imformation about, how to Grow Proteas as a Cut Flower.
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everyday I try to learn something about plants and so I visit you.
