DOCSLIB.ORG

Proteas with Altitude Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Proteas with Altitude Report proteas With Altitude Annual Report January – December 2019 Robbie Blackhall-Miles and Ben Ram Abstract This report aims to show how the ‘proteas With Altitude’ project progressed during 2019. It is an opportunity to review the ongoing process of setting up the nursery site, analyse data gathered about the species grown and set aims for the year ahead. Background ‘proteas With Altitude’ is an ongoing research project studying the horticulture of Proteaceae in the UK. In 2015, an initial expedition was undertaken to study in-situ plants and collect seeds of Proteaceae, growing at high altitude, in the Western Cape of South Africa. One hundred and fifteen separate observations covering fifty-five distinct species were made, of which thirty species were collected as seed. A further collecting trip was made during December 2017 with 43 species being collected as seed, of which 16 were new to the project and 6 new to cultivation, and plants and cuttings of some species being imported under phytosanitary certificate. A full report detailing progress up to the beginning of 2019 can be found in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 annual reports. This report will discuss the period between January 2019 – December 2019. Nursery Infrastructure Drip irrigation to 1L pots has worked well but watering of large potted plants is better by hand (with a watering can or hose), due to lack of water pressure. As plants in 1L pots have been potted up into 2L pots, some of the drip irrigation lines needed adjusting to accommodate these taller pots; there is currently capacity to do more of this. A 1000L water storage tank has been installed to collect rainwater from one side of the roof of the large polytunnel. This has been used for siphoning into troughs which are used to fill watering cans with. Purchasing a hose adapter for this water storage tank is planned for 2020. Since the cheap and unreliable weather station at the nursery broke, no rainfall has been recorded there and only winter minimum temperatures have been recorded. A more reliable way of recording weather data at the nursery is needed, using a more robust weather station. The weather station we have been able to afford in the past is the Clime Met CM2000, which costs £150. This is a useful weather station as it records data wirelessly and the data is easy to extract, also being connected to the internet allows viewing of current and past weather. It relies on batteries, however, which run out without warning and result in no data being recorded from that point on. Labelling of plants that have either been potted into large terracotta pots or into the ground has been improved. Data on these labels is now printed and includes collection number, species, collection location and altitude, see photo on right. Germination Efforts to germinate seed in 2019 were concentrated on species which have previously proven difficult. This meant that of the 36 seed batches sown, only 10 batches had any germination. Failures Protea repens and Protea amplexicaulis again failed to germinate, even though the same method was used which has been successful with other members of this genus. Whether the issue was with seed viability or germination method remains to be seen, although the former is suspected. Leucadendron singulare also failed to germinate again. This species only grows on very high summits (approx. 2000m) and may need a cold stratification. No germination of Mimetes, Sorocephalus or Paranomus was again a disappointment. Although Protea recondita had a 40% germination rate, all the seedlings died, which may have been due to damping off. Successes Protea scabriuscula – A 54% germination rate was achieved. This was done by soaking seed in smoke-disk water for 24 hours and exposing sown seed to a day/night temperature swing of 5°C/20°C. A 28% seedling mortality rate means that 5 plants of this species now join the living collections. This is enough plants for trialling in the ground as well as growing in a large pot. This also completes the group of 4 species of high altitude ‘Snow Proteas’ (Paracynaroides) which are grown at the nursery. The 5th species of this group, Protea lorea, grows at lower altitude but we will be germinating this species in 2020. Leucadendron arcuatum – A 90% germination rate was achieved. This was done by soaking seed in smoke disk water for 24 hours and then GA3 for 36 hours, before exposing sown seed to a day/night temperature swing of 5°C/20°C. A seedling mortality rate of 56% means that only 4 plants remain. The mortality was due to caterpillar damage. It is hoped that this sprawling, mountain growing ‘Arid Conebush’ will do well in a sunny, well-drained rockery once it is large enough to be planted out. Aulax cancellata – A 90% germination rate and only one death means that 8 plants of this species are doing well in 1L pots. Germination was achieved by soaking seed in smoke-disk water for 24 hours and exposing sown seed to a day/night temperature swing of 5°C/20°C. Leucospermum winteri – A 35% germination rate was achieved. This was done by first removing the outer two seeds coats, then subjecting the seeds to a dry heat of 45°C for 15 minutes before immediately immersing into 18°C water to cause micro-fractures in the remaining seed coat. The seed was then soaked in smoke water for 24 hours and a further 24 hours in GA3, before exposing sown seed to a day/night temperature swing of 5°C/20°C. A seedling mortality rate of 14% means that 6 plants of this species can be trialled at the nursery. This is very exciting as even though the seed was collected at only 466m, the altitudinal range of this species goes up to 1300m, so may have some genetic cold tolerance. Leucospermum erubescens – Although this is species does not grow much above 600m, having been collected on the Robinson Pass, which does occasionally get cold, it is hoped that the one seedling which germinated will do well at the nursery, although it may need to stay in a large pot. Germination was achieved using the same method as for Leucospermum winteri, but a higher dry- heat of 55°C was used to crack the final seed coat. Spatalla nubicola – Two batches of seed from different collections of this species were germinated with 15% and 17% germination rates achieved for each. Both batches were treated in the same way. A significant proportion of the seed collected contained no embryo; this was clearly made visible by SEM imagery produced as part of a collaboration with artist Raji Salan (see 2018 report). Effort was made to choose seeds without one end looking acute and collapsed. Painstakingly, the eliasome at the end of each small seed was removed with the assistance of a fine needle. This was followed by soaking seed in smoke disk water for 24 hours and then GA3 for 36 hours, before exposing sown seed to a day/night temperature swing of 5°C/20°C. A very high mortality rate, possibly due to aphids, has left only one seedling still alive of this species, see photo on right. Since this is the first time this species has ever been cultivated and given its restricted range, these experiences are of high conservation importance and will be attempted to be reproduced in 2020. Spatalla parilis – Two batches of seed from different collections of this species were germinated with 5% and 25% germination rates achieved for each. The same method used to germinate Spatalla nubicola was also used to germinate this species. Seedling mortality rates have meant that only 3 plants are still alive, the best of which is shown in the photo on the right. Although this species has been cultivated before in Kirstenbosch by Louise Nurrish, her success was by striking cuttings of vegetative material collected in the wild. This is likely the first time that seeds of this species have been germinated ex-situ. Cultivation Protea aurea subsp. aurea In August 2019 Protea aurea subsp. aurea (BMR15032.02.03 - which was collected at 1424m on the southern slopes of Grootberg in Boosmansbos) became the first of our seed grown 2015 collections to flower - see photo below. The altitude of this seed collection is from the higher reaches of this species’ altitudinal range, with the upper quartile being at 1000m and the highest recorded plants being at 1620m. This plant is in a 20L terracotta pot and has flowered in 3 years and one month from germination (12/7/2016). Cuttings of this plant were taken in autumn 2020 in the hope that they may be trialled in the ground at some point. Protea pruinosa During 2019 one plants of this species was potted up into a 4L terracotta pot and another was planted out in the trial bed. The plant in the pot is growing very strongly (see photo on right) but the plant in the ground is now dead. The reasons for this are unclear but more plants are available in 1L pots to both pot up and plant out. Protea cryophylla Four plants of this species are at the nursery. One is in the ground, having survived its first winter in a trial bed. Another is in a 10L terracotta pot that was left outside all winter, to no ill affect. The remaining two are in 1L and 2L pots respectively and are on a bench in the greenhouse. To minimise root disturbance and mimic its wild habitat of cracked rocky ground, the pot-in-a-pot-in-a- pot method is being trialled with some of these plants.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pathogens Associated with Diseases. of Protea, Leucospermum and Leucadendron Spp
    PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASES. OF PROTEA, LEUCOSPERMUM AND LEUCADENDRON SPP. Lizeth Swart Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. P. W. Crous Decem ber 1999 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION 1, the undersigned, hereby declare that the work contained in this thesis is my own original work and has not previously in its entirety or in part been submitted at any university for a degree. SIGNATURE: DATE: Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASES OF PROTEA, LEUCOSPERMUM ANDLEUCADENDRONSPP. SUMMARY The manuscript consists of six chapters that represent research on different diseases and records of new diseases of the Proteaceae world-wide. The fungal descriptions presented in this thesis are not effectively published, and will thus be formally published elsewhere in scientific journals. Chapter one is a review that gives a detailed description of the major fungal pathogens of the genera Protea, Leucospermum and Leucadendron, as reported up to 1996. The pathogens are grouped according to the diseases they cause on roots, leaves, stems and flowers, as well as the canker causing fungi. In chapter two, several new fungi occurring on leaves of Pro tea, Leucospermum, Telopea and Brabejum collected from South Africa, Australia or New Zealand are described. The following fungi are described: Cladophialophora proteae, Coniolhyrium nitidae, Coniothyrium proteae, Coniolhyrium leucospermi,Harknessia leucospermi, Septoria prolearum and Mycosphaerella telopeae spp. nov. Furthermore, two Phylloslicla spp., telopeae and owaniana are also redecribed. The taxonomy of the Eisinoe spp.
    [Show full text]
  • Protea Newsletter International
    Protea Newsletter International An e­Newsletter for the International Protea Industry and Scientific Community to Promote Communication, Cooperation and the Advancement of Science, Technology, Production and Marketing (and to promote the Hawaii Protea Industry) Volume 2, Number 1, April 2009 Editor: Ken Leonhardt Chairman, lnternational Protea Working Group (IPWG), International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Professor, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii USA Contents: A visit to South Africa ............................................................................. 2 International Horticulture Congress announcement .................................. 3 New protea poster from the University of Hawaii..................................... 4 A message from the Hawaii State Protea Growers Corporation ................ 4 A message from the Zimbabwe Protea Association .................................. 5 Protea night­life ....................................................................................... 6 Proteaceae cultivar development and uses ................................................ 6 Sample costs to establish and produce protea ........................................... 6 Research funding awarded by the IPA...................................................... 7 New cultivar registrations......................................................................... 7 Recent books on Proteaceae ....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Image Identification of Protea Species with Attributes and Subgenus Scaling
    Image identification of Protea species with attributes and subgenus scaling Peter Thompson Willie Brink Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch University [email protected] [email protected] Abstract The flowering plant genus Protea is a dominant repre- sentative for the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region in South Africa, and from a conservation point of view im- portant to monitor. The recent surge in popularity of crowd- sourced wildlife monitoring platforms presents both chal- lenges and opportunities for automatic image based species identification. We consider the problem of identifying the Protea species in a given image with additional (but op- tional) attributes linked to the observation, such as loca- tion and date. We collect training and test data from a crowd-sourced platform, and find that the Protea identifi- Figure 1. Different species of Protea, such as Protea neriifolia cation problem is exacerbated by considerable inter-class and Protea laurifolia shown here, can exhibit considerable visual similarity, data scarcity, class imbalance, as well as large similarity. variations in image quality, composition and background. Our proposed solution consists of three parts. The first part incorporates a variant of multi-region attention into a pre- important for understanding species populations [3] in the trained convolutional neural network, to focus on the flow- midst of issues like global warming, pollution and poach- erhead in the image. The second part performs coarser- ing. The crowd-sourced platform iNaturalist for example grained classification on subgenera (superclasses) and then allows users to upload observations of wildlife, which typ- rescales the output of the first part. The third part con- ically include images, locations, dates, and identifications ditions a probabilistic model on the additional attributes that can be verified by fellow users [31].
    [Show full text]
  • Environment & Landscape Guidelines Revision 2
    Environment & Landscape Guidelines Revision 2 - 1 February 2013 1 . V i s i o n The environment created at Le Jardin will be a subtle cooperation with nature. Mother Nature is once again honoured as custodian of all, where she provides wholesome food and clean refreshing water, shelters and protects us from harsh heat, cold winter air and stinging rain, while graciously accepting all our wastes and returning them to us as sweet fruits, crispy vegetables and exquisite flowers. Responsibility towards the environment and ecological integrity are key to developing the landscape. Indigenous plants will form the backbone, with fruiting plants, vegetables and a few selected exotic plants as infill to compliment the overall design theme. Emphasis will be on mimicking the way plants grow naturally in the wild, and therefore random placement of plants is desirable above forced rigid symmetry and geometry. The landscape must exude a sense of peace, wellness and happiness, and give the participant the feeling that they have always been an integral part of its beautiful natural composition. The Avianto Le Jardin country-side environment is characterized by a gently sloping ridge interspersed with a few scattered rocky outcrops and indigenous bush clumps, associated wildlife habitat, leading down to the Crocodile River, and areas of alien vegetation encroachment that will be rehabilitated and replaced with indigenous vegetation. The Highveld climate here is characterized by warm to hot summers and summer rainfall mainly in the form of thunder-showers, mild and pleasant autumn and spring, and winters with mild sunny days but cold to very cold nights.
    [Show full text]
  • CAPE TOWN Peoahablp Pioducls Export Control Board Raad V8n Twig Op D~Cuqhroer Van Brdedbare Produkle C I F 997.1
    f .J With compliments Met kompl imente CAPE TOWN Peoahablp Pioducls Export Control Board Raad v8n Twig op d~cUqhroer van Brdedbare Produkle c i f 997.1 DEPARTMENT OF AGRlCULfUFlE STD. NO. F-1 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARDS ACT, 1990 (ACT No. 119 OF 19GO) STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS REGARDING CONTROL OF THE EXPORT OF FRESH CUT FLOWERS AND FRESH ORNAMENTAL FQLIAG€ The Executive Officer; Agricultural Product Standards has stipulated under secttcn 4(3)(a) (ii) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 3 990 (Act No, 17 9 of 19SO>,the52 standards regarding the quality of fresh cut flowers and ornamental foliage, and the requirements regarding the packing, marking and labelling thereof, ;,+*/ v * 23 - 1997-1 *' SPEClFlC STANDARDS AND. REQUIREMENTS FOR CAPE FLORA ue IllllLlUl IS 12. Where specifically used with regard to Cape Flora -- "Cape Flora" means the sexual reproductive and vegetative parts of all Ericaceae as well as Proteaceae and "fynbos'' (of which some of the genera consist of Bruniaceae, L eucadendron, L eucospermum, Mimetes, Protea, Serruria and relopea); "flower head" means a stem that is horisontally extended to form a disc which bear a number of flowers which house the sexual reproductive parts of plants; "immature flower budRmeans, in the case of Pmteaceae, a flower bud that has a hard point, shows no signs of opening. and therefore will not complete the full development process of opening of the flower head; "Mixed Cape Flora" and "Mix" means the contmts of a container consist of Cape bra of different species and/or cultivars; "N.L." (No Leaves) means that a protea flower stem is without leaves; and "S.F.
    [Show full text]
  • NUMBERED TREE SPECIES LIST in SOUTH AFRICA CYATHEACEAE 1 Cyathea Dregei 2 Cyathea Capensis Var. Capensis ZAMIACEAE 3 Encephalart
    NUMBERED TREE SPECIES LIST IN SOUTH AFRICA 23 Hyphaene coriacea CYATHEACEAE 24 Hyphaene petersiana 1 Cyathea dregei 25 Borassus aethiopum 2 Cyathea capensis var. capensis 26 Raphia australis 27 Jubaeopsis caffra ZAMIACEAE 3 Encephalartos altensteinii ASPHODELACEAE 3.1 Encephalartos eugene-maraisii 28 Aloe barberae 3.2 Encephalartos arenarius 28.1 Aloe arborescens 3.3 Encephalartos brevifoliolatus 28.2 Aloe africana 3.4 Encephalartos ferox 28.3 Aloe alooides 4 Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi 28.4 Aloe angelica 5 Encephalartos ghellinckii 28.5 Aloe candelabrum 5.1 Encephalartos inopinus 28.6 Aloe castanea 5.2 Encephalartos lanatus 28.7 Aloe comosa 6 Encephalartos laevifolius 28.8 Aloe excelsa var. excelsa 7 Encephalartos latifrons 29 Aloe dichotoma 8 Encephalartos senticosus 29.1 Aloe dolomitica 8.1 Encephalartos lehmannii 29.2 Aloe ferox 9 Encephalartos longifolius 29.3 Aloe khamiesensis 10 Encephalartos natalensis 29.4 Aloe littoralis 11 Encephalartos paucidentatus 29.5 Aloe marlothii subsp. marlothii 12 Encephalartos princeps 29.6 Aloe plicatilis 12.5 Encephalartos relictus 29.7 Aloe marlothii subsp. orientalis 13 Encephalartos transvenosus 30 Aloe pillansii 14 Encephalartos woodii 30.1 Aloe pluridens 14.1 Encephalartos heenanii 30.2 Aloe ramosissima 14.2 Encephalartos dyerianus 30.3 Aloe rupestris 14.3 Encephalartos middelburgensis 30.4 Aloe spicata 14.4 Encephalartos dolomiticus 30.5 Aloe speciosa 14.5 Encephalartos aemulans 30.6 Aloe spectabilis 14.6 Encephalartos hirsutus 30.7 Aloe thraskii 14.7 Encephalartos msinganus 14.8 Encephalartos
    [Show full text]
  • Norrie's Plant Descriptions - Index of Common Names a Key to Finding Plants by Their Common Names (Note: Not All Plants in This Document Have Common Names Listed)
    UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden Plant Descriptions A little help in finding what you’re looking for - basic information on some of the plants offered for sale in our nursery This guide contains descriptions of some of plants that have been offered for sale at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden. This is an evolving document and may contain errors or omissions. New plants are added to inventory frequently. Many of those are not (yet) included in this collection. Please contact the Arboretum office with any questions or suggestions: [email protected] Contents copyright © 2019, 2020 UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Gardens printed 27 February 2020 Norrie's Plant Descriptions - Index of common names A key to finding plants by their common names (Note: not all plants in this document have common names listed) Angel’s Trumpet Brown Boronia Brugmansia sp. Boronia megastigma Aster Boronia megastigma - Dark Maroon Flower Symphyotrichum chilense 'Purple Haze' Bull Banksia Australian Fuchsia Banksia grandis Correa reflexa Banksia grandis - compact coastal form Ball, everlasting, sago flower Bush Anemone Ozothamnus diosmifolius Carpenteria californica Ozothamnus diosmifolius - white flowers Carpenteria californica 'Elizabeth' Barrier Range Wattle California aster Acacia beckleri Corethrogyne filaginifolia - prostrate Bat Faced Cuphea California Fuchsia Cuphea llavea Epilobium 'Hummingbird Suite' Beach Strawberry Epilobium canum 'Silver Select' Fragaria chiloensis 'Aulon' California Pipe Vine Beard Tongue Aristolochia californica Penstemon 'Hidalgo' Cat Thyme Bird’s Nest Banksia Teucrium marum Banksia baxteri Catchfly Black Coral Pea Silene laciniata Kennedia nigricans Catmint Black Sage Nepeta × faassenii 'Blue Wonder' Salvia mellifera 'Terra Seca' Nepeta × faassenii 'Six Hills Giant' Black Sage Chilean Guava Salvia mellifera Ugni molinae Salvia mellifera 'Steve's' Chinquapin Blue Fanflower Chrysolepis chrysophylla var.
    [Show full text]
  • The Potential of South African Indigenous Plants for the International Cut flower Trade ⁎ E.Y
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com South African Journal of Botany 77 (2011) 934–946 www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb The potential of South African indigenous plants for the international cut flower trade ⁎ E.Y. Reinten a, J.H. Coetzee b, B.-E. van Wyk c, a Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag, Matieland 7606, South Africa b P.O. Box 2086, Dennesig 7601, South Africa c Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa Abstract A broad review is presented of recent developments in the commercialization of southern Africa indigenous flora for the cut flower trade, in- cluding potted flowers and foliages (“greens”). The botany, horticultural traits and potential for commercialization of several indigenous plants have been reported in several publications. The contribution of species indigenous and/or endemic to southern Africa in the development of cut flower crop plants is widely acknowledged. These include what is known in the trade as gladiolus, freesia, gerbera, ornithogalum, clivia, agapan- thus, strelitzia, plumbago and protea. Despite the wealth of South African flower bulb species, relatively few have become commercially important in the international bulb industry. Trade figures on the international markets also reflect the importance of a few species of southern African origin. The development of new research tools are contributing to the commercialization of South African plants, although propagation, cultivation and post-harvest handling need to be improved. A list of commercially relevant southern African cut flowers (including those used for fresh flowers, dried flowers, foliage and potted flowers) is presented, together with a subjective evaluation of several genera and species with perceived potential for the development of new crops for the florist trade.
    [Show full text]
  • An Assessment of Alternative Postharvest Technologies for the Disinfestation of Fresh Cape Flora Cut Flowers for Export from South Africa
    AN ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE DISINFESTATION OF FRESH CAPE FLORA CUT FLOWERS FOR EXPORT FROM SOUTH AFRICA By Anton Huysamer Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Agriculture (Conservation Ecology and Entomology) at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Dr Shelley Johnson Co-Supervisor: Dr Lynn Hoffman Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Faculty of AgriSciences University of Stellenbosch South Africa December 2018 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own original work, that I am the authorship owner thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Copyright © 2018 Stellenbosch University of Stellenbosch All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract A successful industry has developed around the export of fresh Proteaceae cut flowers from South Africa. Phytosanitary insects are a barrier to export, as South African Proteaceae associates with a considerable entomofauna. The development of alternative postharvest disinfestation technologies could reduce these interceptions and promote market access. Surveys on export material were conducted to determine which pests are most problematic when exporting Proteaceae. A total of 82 interceptions were made, comprising of eight insect orders and 26 insect families. Although many interceptions were as a result of solitary individuals, multiple interceptions consisted of many individuals of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and protea itch mite (Procotolaelaps vandenbergii). These pests were selected as the key pests on which to focus for disinfestation using alternative postharvest technologies not yet utilised for Proteaceae.
    [Show full text]
  • Germination Depth Vs. Temperature Requirements in Naturally Dispersed Seeds of Leucospermum Cordifolium and L
    S. Afr. J. Bot. , 1987 , 53(2): 119-124 119 Germination depth vs. temperature requirements in naturally dispersed seeds of Leucospermum cordifolium and L. cuneiforme (proteaceae) G.J. Brits Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Research Institute, Private Bag X293, Pretoria, 0001 Republic of South Africa Submitted in partial fulfilment of an M.Sc. degree at the University of Stell en bosch (Botany Department) Accepted 9 October 1986 Myrmecochory (ant dispersal) and the requirement for both low and high diurnal soil temperatures during seed germination after fire, are important ecological determinants in the seedling recruitment phase of Leucospermum R. Br. species. A crucial unknown parameter linking these two factors is the effective burial depth (i.e. germination depth) of seeds stored in the subterranean seed bank. The germination depth of seedlings was effectively determined in a nursery trial by measuring the length of the hypocotyl between the radicle end and ground level. Using this method the germination depth of Leucospermum cordifolium (Salisb. ex Knight) Fourcade and L. cuneiforme (Burm. f.) Rourke seedlings emerging during winter, after summer burns in three localities was estimated. Average estimated germination depths varied between 30 and 45 mm. Daily minimum and maximum temperatures were measured at various soil depths during winter in burnt and unburnt mesic mountain fynbos. Temperatures measured at 10, 20 and 40 mm depths during winter were close to the known optimum daily low and high germination temperatures in L. cordifolium, in burnt fynbos, but not in unburnt fynbos. These temperatures in burnt fynbos prevailed especially during early winter. It was concluded that a high proportion of the Leucospermum cordifolium seed bank will germinate only during the first early winter following a fire.
    [Show full text]
  • Proteaceae Floral Crops; Cultivar Development and Underexploited Uses
    Proteaceae Floral Crops; Cultivar Development and Underexploited Uses Kenneth W. Leonhardt and Richard A. Criley The Proteaceae apparently originated on the southern supercontinent Gondwana long before it divided and began drifting apart during the Mesozoic era, accounting for the presence of the Proteaceae on all of the southern continents (Brits 1984a). The Protea family comprises about 1400 species in over 60 genera, of which over 800 species in 45 genera are from Australia. Africa claims about 400 species, including 330 species in 14 genera from the western Cape. About 90 species occur in Central and South America, 80 on islands east of New Guinea, and 45 in New Caledonia. Madagascar, New Guinea, New Zealand, and South- east Asia host small numbers of species (Rebelo 1995). Proteas are neither herbaceous nor annual, and they are always woody. Their structural habit is vari- able from groundcover forms with creeping stems, and those with underground stems, to vertical to spread- ing shrubs, to tree forms. The leaves are generally large, lignified, hard, and leathery. A mature leaf will generally snap rather than fold when bent. The leaf anatomy is specially adapted for water conservation and drought resistance. These characteristics and the high leaf carbon to nitrogen ratio render the leaves indi- gestible to most insect pests (Rebelo 1995), accounting for the relatively pest-free status of most commer- cial protea plantings. The distribution of the family is linked to the occurrence of soils that are extremely deficient in plant nutrients (Brits 1984a). An accommodating characteristic of the family is the presence of proteoid roots.
    [Show full text]
  • Proteas with Altitude Report 2017
    proteas With Altitude Annual report 2017 Robbie Blackhall-Miles and Ben Ram Abstract This report aims to show how the ‘proteas With Altitude’ project has progressed over the past 12 months. It is an opportunity to review the ongoing process of setting up the nursery site, analyse data gathered about the species grown and set aims for the year ahead. Background ‘proteas With Altitude’ is an ongoing research project studying the horticulture of Proteaceae in the UK. In 2015, an initial expedition was undertaken to study in-situ plants and collect seeds of Proteaceae, growing at high altitude, in the Western Cape of South Africa. One hundred and fifteen separate observations covering fifty-five distinct species were made, of which thirty species were collected as seed. A further collecting trip was made during December 2017 which will be discussed as part of this report. A full report detailing progress up to the beginning of 2017 can be found in the 2016 annual report. Nursery Infrastructure During 2017 several essential pieces of infrastructure were invested in for the nursery. These include the installation of an electricity supply to the nursery which in turn has allowed the installation of a weather station at the site. Fans have also been installed inside the Keder greenhouse to increase air circulation and reduce instances of disease. Winning the RHS Bursaries report prize during 2015 allowed investment in a Dew-point propagator which will enable propagation of plants more efficiently from cuttings, this is particularly important for species with just a single individual in the collection and will give increased security in the form of back up plants in the event of disease or death of these individuals.
    [Show full text]