Protea magnifica has the second largest flower head after Protea cynaroides, the King Protea. The Queen Protea is one of the most
attractive and sought after proteas. No
picture can describe how beautiful and fluffy it is, with its variable forms
and colours in nature and its rounded bushy form. This protea will look great
in any environment.
It is cultivated as
a cut-flower for the export market because of its excellent cut flower characteristics
of having long stems, long lasting flower heads and a good vase life. The air
and sea freight ability is very good therefore it has remarkably high economic
potential, as regular enquires from all over the world attest. It is considered
the most prized cut flower in the trade, as its flowers can last very long
and looks great in dried flower arrangements.
Protea magnifica is a spectacular
garden shrub in many situations. It requires good drainage and will not do well
in damp, humid gardens. It prefers to be
planted in full sun and must have good air circulation.
It is an easy plant to grow in well-drained acid soils and can tolerate
frost till about -8 ºC and can withstand some wind, but may show signs of
foliage burn from excessive salt winds. They do not grow well along coastal
ranges that are covered with moist fog through the year.
Do not disturb their
roots as protea roots are very susceptible to infection if they are tampered
with. Proteas are light feeders that adapted to very nutrient-poor soils and
will die with the use of strong fertilizers and manure.
To read my full article on
Protea magnifica go to http://www.plantzafrica.com/
