Quick Tips to Improve Protea Life

The demand for Protea has reached fever pitch as their sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make them the perfect cut flowers. The family tree originates in South Africa and these blooms love sun and sugar, especially Eximia, Latifolia, and Dutchess varieties.

Contrary to popular belief, Protea are not tropical flowers… they are actually Mediterranean flowers, and they can be stored in a floral cooler, especially during warm summer days. Here are some quick tips to improve protea life: 

• Unpack the flowers immediately. 
• Cut up to 1/2 inch off the stems and remove leaves that will end up in the water. 
• Store flowers in a well-lit floral (protea prefer to rest with the light on) cooler or refrigerator between 43-50 Fn. 
• Removing a few leaves around the flower head will enhance the flower display. Note, some Protea are prone to leaf blackening and even with the best post-harvest care, it can still happen. So, if the flower looks fresh and healthy to you, just remove those leaves as well.
• Use a flower preservative or a teaspoon of sugar for added longevity. 
• Check water levels frequently as protea get very thirsty. 
• Keep then out of direct sunlight whenever possible. 
• With proper care, blooms can last weeks in a vase. Then, they don’t die… they dry beautifully! Many Proteas retain their structural design and to some extent their color. When used in dried flower arrangements or wreaths, they are as permanent as almost anything the botanical world provides.

San Diego Floral Association’s Family Fair

A warm and sunny afternoon played host to the San Diego Floral Association’s Family Fair held at the popular Mission Hills Nursery. The organization welcomed the season of apple pies, and colorful leaves with a festive event that included friends and neighbors, sweet and tasty treats, fun for the kids, and pumpkins in every size and shape.

Artisans from around the county were invited to join in the fall fun by creating a marketplace and vendor fair. The fair, setup in an outdoor area next to the nursery, was surrounded by vibrant flowers, autumn displays and lots of colorful pumpkins. The marketplace included Lazy Acres Natural Market with an apple pie making booth and vendors with antique furniture, hand-crafted gifts and, of course, us with plenty of protea.

Visitors had a chance to create their own pumpkin terrariums. Chef Miguel from The Red Door provided a “farm to fork” cooking demonstration and families watched as their kids lined up for special Halloween costume competition.

The fair’s finale… our favorite farmer, Mel, who dazzled the audience while demonstrating the art of making a hand-tied bouquet and chatted about growing and caring for protea.

All proceeds from the afternoon’s activities will benefit the San Diego Floral Association’s Community College Scholarship Fund and the new School Garden program.

Banksia Victoriae

We're feeling inspired this summer with a fresh take on a favorite orange Banksia: Victoriae or also called Woolly Orange. Lovely ‘acorn’ shaped blooms when they’re fully developed, Victoriae starts as an intriguing woolly, greyish-white bud and becomes a brilliant orange as the styles open out. These styles form an inflorescence that’s made up of hundreds of tiny flowers that open from the base, giving them a fluffy appearance.

Victoriae blooms range in size from 6 to 10" in length and 5" in diameter, and have fabulous serrated foliage on long ridged stems. The main flowering season is mid to late summer. They have an extremely long vase life and dry beautifully.

What to look for:

• Inflorescences with the bottom 1/3 of flowers open and fluffy.
• Clear color - Grey flowers are old.
• Avoid wet flowers.

Flower Care:

1. Keep cool when possible
2. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem
3. Re-cut at least 1/2" off each stem and place in cold water.
4. Never bash or split stems.
5. Replace vase water every day as Banksia are thirsty flowers.
6. Never mist banksias as this could cause black marks to appear.