PROTEA scolymocephala

Thistle Sugarbush
Red List of South African Plants: Vulnerable

SKU: B 67
Stock: In Stock

Family: Proteaceae
Characteristics: Shrub 1.2 m spread 1.5 m

Seed per packet: 5
Sold by seed count

Qty:
$6.00 AUD Excl. GST

An attractive flowering shrub that grows to 1.2 m with linear pointed leaves that are lightly hairy. Small creamy-green solitary, terminal flowers with outwardly splayed creamy or pinkish bracts from winter to spring.

Prefers a light to medium well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought resistant but frost tender. Suited to coastal planting and sandy soils.

Red List of South African Plants: Vulnerable
Population trend Decreasing.

Protea scolymocephala, a plant species, is at a high risk of extinction in the wild. It used to be abundant on the Cape Flats, but due to the increasing urbanization, agriculture, and the spread of aggressive alien plants, it has lost its habitat and is almost extinct. However, it is still widespread in the northern part of its range but is only found in certain areas.

Occurs naturally in the range of Gifberg to Hermanus in the Western Cape of South Africa.

Image by SAplants 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.

  1. The growing medium should be well draining but should remain damp between watering.
  2. 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. 
  3. Keep moist but not too wet, as the seed may rot. Do not let the growing mix completely dry out. 
  4. 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 keep them moist but not too wet.
  • These growth notes are provided as guidance only and do not guarantee successful germination.

If you are uncertain about the requirements for importing seeds into your country, do not hesitate to contact our Export Manager at Australian Seed.

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.

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