Five Mistakes to Avoid Planting and Growing the King Protea - Protea cynaroides

Proteas have been a popular choice with specialist growers, none more so than the magnificent King Protea - Protea cynaroides. However they are considered to be a little more difficult to grow as they require slightly more challenging growing conditions compared to other more common exotic garden plants. So in this video English horticulturist Simon explores the environmental conditions that the Protea have evolved to survive and how that can be replicated in your very own garden. So join us as we walk through our five mistakes to avoid planting and growing the King Protea.

[@gilbertdingle9915]

Been thinking about getting a Protea,after watching your video I am going to give it a try.

[@user-ps2vl8yi7h]

Hi 👋 I’m from Australia in Victoria in the Countryside with Clay and Loam soil. I have very wet, frost and cold winters getting down to lows of minus 2 degrees. I also have very hot and and dry Summers with highs of mid to high 40’s degrees. I successfully grow these proteas in the ground out in the open with no issues at all. I don’t fertilise at all. I grow Kings, Proteas, Leucospermums, Leucadendrons and Banksia’s which are all in the Proteaceae family. I would think if your temperatures are similar to mine here in Winters with frosts then you should be able to grow in the ground provided they don’t get boggy. I’ve never grown in pots as they don’t like to be repotted due to not liking root disturbance. Hope my info helps, Kind regards 😊

[@Henkvanmp]

They are grown on the Abbey Gardens at Tresco ,Scilly Islands!

[@susanvonrauensteinbreuls6058]

I just received a seed packet of king Protea seeds as a present (I am a South African living in Belgium) I am going to try and see what happens thx for the info

[@brucecurrie6913]

Used a large unglazed terracotta pot for mine (porosity helps in this case!) similar mix ratio as you suggested with a little horticultural grit mixed in with the sharp sand and e.compost. Keep mine in greenhouse. They need good air flow as well as full sun... and a LITTLE occasional top dressing of wood ash really makes them feel at