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PROTEA nitida
Wagon Tree
Family: Proteaceae
Characteristics: Tree 5-10 m
Seed per packet: 5
Sold by seed count
Protea belongs to the ancient plant family Proteaceae, which split into two subfamilies, Proteoideae and Grevilleoideae, before the separation of the Gondwanaland continent around 140 million years ago.
Protea nitida produces large, creamy white flower heads that appear year-round in their native environment, with peak flowering occurring in winter.
Young crimson leaves give way to mature, bluish sea-green leaves.
Historical.
The Wagon Tree wood was used for making kitchen utensils, furniture, and charcoal. Its distinctive grain and reddish colour made it famous for ornamental furniture. It was also used in wagon wheels and brake blocks.
The bark was used to tan leather and treat diarrhoea. However, extensive exploitation led to deforestation, and bark stripping was banned.
It is adaptable to various soils.
It occurs naturally in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa.
*Image by Andrew massyn CC BY-SA 3.0
*Image by Ronald Flipphi CC BY-SA 4.0
The best time to sow is usually autumn or spring when the temperature range is between 16-22°C, and there is a difference of day and night temperatures of around 12°C.
If your summers are hot and dry and winter is moderate and wet, autumn is the best time to sow.
In colder climates with less harsh summers, it is usually better to sow in spring.
- The growing medium should be well draining but should remain damp between watering.
- Sow the seed equal to its side deep. Vermiculite is an excellent medium to cover the surface as it helps retain moisture and controls the temperature.
- Keep moist but not too wet, as the seed may rot. Do not let the growing mix completely dry out.
- Germination should occur in 30-60 days, depending on the temperature and conditions.
Pre-treatment of smoke is recommended:
Members of the Proteaceae are responsive to pre-treatment of smoke. Although germination will often occur without smoke treatment, it has proved to be beneficial in reducing the number of days to germination and increasing germination rates in many species of the Proteaceae family.
Smoke treatments are simple and can be undertaken by soaking the seed overnight or applying it to the surface after sowing; both provide good results. Smoke treatments are available by clicking here.
*Please note:
- Please do not be too hasty to discard seeds that do not germinate; seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural germination requirements.
- As with all seeds, they must have adequate water to germinate; keep them moist but not too wet.
- These growth notes are provided as guidance only and do not guarantee successful germination.
- The customer should do their due diligence that they are suited to their region.
Being a registered Export Establishment, we can provide a full export service from obtaining a Phytosanitary certificate (if required) to delivering your parcel to the transport company of your choice. If you are uncertain about the requirements for importing seeds into your country, do not hesitate to contact our Export Manager at Australian Seed.
It is important to note that the buyer is responsible for clearing the goods through customs and paying all associated charges, including import fees and taxes. Please note that we cannot accept returns due to Australian quarantine restrictions.
You can find the complete International terms and conditions by clicking on this link
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Importing to Tasmania Prohibited