We are an operating Protea farms and would like to invite any questions or comments regarding the growing and taking care of Protea flowers. We propagate Protea from cuttings and seed and have a lot of experience with Protea flowers. We sell Protea Starter Seed Packs, #1 Select Designer Grade Protea Bouquets as well as other Protea related products from our website http://www.capeflowerfields.com.
I'm looking forward to sharing my passion with you.
Eugene
5 comments:
Proteas are wonderful flowers to grow. When growing Protea,
patience is not only a virtue, it is a necessity. But, the
rewards are fantastic. I have been growing Protea from seed
and cuttings for years, and the plants and flowers never
cease to amaze me. I get exited every time the first
“cotyledon” appears (the first leaf that forms after
germination) and I know I am on my way to see another of
Nature’s wonders developing into an unmistakable plant. A
plant with its own personality, and if you listen closely,
it would tell you stories from prehistoric times. They do
talk, don’t they?
Greek Mythology and Proteaceae
Adding the word MAGUS, the Latin word for ‘wizard’, to ANIMAL, J.K. Rawling – author of the Harry Potter series - coined the term ANIMAGUS’:
a wizard who can become an animal yet retain magical powers. One of the first wizards to display this ability was Proteus, of Greek
Mythology. He was a servant of Poseidon, god of the oceans. Proteus enjoyed a special talent: the
knowledge of past, present and future. Unfortunately, this meant he was often asked for predictions. To escape people, he would quickly
transform into a variety of animals and terrifying creatures. Something that changes shape is said to be ‘protean’
Colorful Protea flowers come in many forms, from tiny dwarf flowers to shrubs, and even trees. Their blooms range in size from two to twelve inches in diameter. As a family, Proteaceae is so diverse that it defied classification until 1735 when the Swedish naturalist, Linneaus, dared to give this family a name. Linneaus, named this family ‘Proteaceae’ after the Greek god 'Proteus'. This is an appropriate name for this plant which presents a breathtaking array of shapes, sizes, hues and textures. There are over 1,700 different species of this diverse family identified so far, although only about 150 are grown commercially.
Protea Regions of the World
Plant life research indicates that Proteaceae probably originated in South Africa along the southern coastal mountain ranges. Some 140 million years ago, Gondwana (the
southern hemisphere combined into one land mass) started to break up into separate continents which, eventually, became Africa, Madagascar and the southern continents; Australasia, Antarctica and South America as we know them
today. The ancient members of the Proteaceae family followed separate evolutionary courses on these now
isolated landmasses as they moved to their current positions as they are today. Protea, Leucadendron (Cape Greens) and Leucospermum (pincushions) stayed mainly in
Southern Africa, while their cousins, Banksias, moved to
Australia. In New Zealand there are now just two living indigenous members of the Proteaceae family, yet the fossil records clearly show the land once supported a rich,
diverse range of Proteaceae.
Protea Bouquets
Have you ever wondered how we get those Protea bouquets to you in such tip-top condition? Sure you have. And, if you haven't, you should. We put together a photo journal of the journey a Protea travels from 'seedling to your living room'.
Follow along here:
http://www.DiscoverProtea.com/Protea_Journal.htm
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