PROTEAS BHT318

Become a Protea Expert

True Proteas come from Africa. Many produce spectacular flowers, with great commercial value as garden shrubs or a cut flower crop.

The term "Protea" is sometimes loosely used to refer to any plants in the Protea (or Protreaceae) family; though the scientific name "Protea" is strictly confined to one genus. Even nurserymen and cut flower growers the world over, may sometimes use the term Protea to refer to related plants in the Proteaceae family, such as Telopeas, Leucadendron and Leucospermum (though strictly speaking they are not Proteas).

This course is primarily concerned with those plants classified scientifically into the genus "Protea" (but does have some wider relevance). The true "Proteas" do share characteristics, with related plants:

• similar soil and water requirements
• susceptibility to the same problems
• other similar cultural needs
• sometimes a similar appearance, in foliage and flower.

COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 8 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification
   • General characteristics of the group
   • Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
2. Culture
   • Planting
   • staking
   • mulching
   • watering
   • feeding (nutrition requirements, deficiencies etc)
   • pruning
   • protection from wind, salt air etc.
   • drainage requirements
   • techniques for providing drainage, etc.
3. Propagation
   • Methods of propagating this group of plants (cuttings & seed)
   • Propagation of selected varieties, etc.
4. Most Commonly Grown Varieties of Proteas
   • Protea cynaroides
   • Protea mellifera
   • Protea repens
5. Pests, Diseases and Problems
   • Protea botany
   • Pest & diseases
   • Drainage problems
6. Other Proteas to Grow
7. Making the Best Use of Proteas
   • Harvest and post harvest
   • How to use them at home
8. Special Assignment - On one selected plant or group.

A plant collection (either pressings or illustrations with written cultural notes etc) is prepared in each lesson, to build your knowledge of different species and cultivars.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Duration: 100 hours

Aims

• Explain the taxonomy of Proteas and closely related genera.
• Describe the cultural requirements of Proteas and related Proteaceae plants
• Propagate Proteas.
• Compare a range of commonly grown Protea species.
• Manage problems including pests and diseases with Proteas.
• Discuss a range of different Protea species and cultivars.
• Determine and describe a range of ways to grow and use Proteas; including as a landscape plant and as a cut flower.
• Discuss a subject related to Proteas in depth.