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Fynbos and Protea discussion response:
Kings do grow in pots - Charles Oertel August 04, 2000
In response to Q: King Protea in Canada - John B., August 04, 2000 :
- I don't know of any successful blooms of the King Protea in Canada - but then there are many things I don't know about.
As for feeding - we use a natural seaweed extract plant food called Seagro. You should be able to get something similar in Canada. You mix a little of it into the water when watering. Ours is a thick brown emulsion that smells like a fish factory. We have recently also come across a protea fertilizer specially formulated for proteas (normal fertilizer burns their roots). You can buy it online at http://FineBushPeople.co.za/farmstore/catalog/accessorystore.htm
The plant is probably rooted in something like perlite or vermiculite. This is to prevent the soil around the roots becoming compacted over
time and leading to poor drainage which would kill the plant eventually. Don't be concerned that the plant might starve because "it isn't in good rich soil". Proteas normally grow in coarse sand with very little loam or compost and are used to nutrient-poor conditions. This does mean that you need to feed the plant regularly in its water.
DO NOT use chemical fertilizers or anything fancy that you use on other plants - it will burn the roots of the protea. Stick to natural foods.
You can put a top-dressing of well-rotted pine-needles over the soil mix, but avoid disturbing the soil in any way.
There is more on our site (which you may have found already). Hope this helps, good luck and let us know how you fare (it should take about 3 years to flower ;-)
Please, anyone else with some experience of John's problem, let's hear your advice.
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