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PROTEA repens Red
Honey Pot Sugarbush
Family: Proteaceae
Characteristics: Shrub 2.5 m spread 2 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.
An extremely attractive Protea with an erect, branching stem and narrow, glossy green leaves 12.5 long. Cone-shaped flowers with creamy white petals and reddish bracts occur in terminal heads. The flower heads have a sticky exudate on the outside and a large amount of nectar on the inside, hence the name "Honey Pot Protea." It is a good bird and bee attractant.
The Nectar was an essential part of the early Cape settlers as a remedy for chest disorders. Nectar can be collected by shaking the flower heads into a bucket; it is then strained and boiled into a syrup known as "Bossiestroop" and used in cough syrups.
It prefers light, sandy, well-drained soil in an open, sunny position.
Occurs naturally over the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa.
*Images by SAplants CC BY-SA 4.0 and Thijs nl CC BY-SA 3.0
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 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 depth. Vermiculite is an excellent medium for covering 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 family are responsive to smoke pre-treatment. Although germination will often occur without smoke treatment, it has proved 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 in discarding seeds that do not germinate; seeds will often lay dormant until conditions are similar to their natural germination requirements.
- All seeds 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 and ensure 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
Importing to Tasmania Prohibited