product FRESH FLOWER Fascinating to consumers because of their form, texture and colors, these exotic flowers can set your shop apart Protea hybrid ‘Trish Compacta’ from the competition. Photo: Rainbow Protea

name game Botanically named always available are sucrose) and to provide light during stor- Protea (PRO-tee-uh, pro-TEE-uh), these available year-round, but periods of age for these flowers. distinctive blossoms are commonly availability vary by . Much of the known overall as sugarbushes due to U.S. supply comes from domestic grow- not an issue These botanicals’ the amount of they produce ers, primarily from California and sensitivity to ethylene gas is low; howev- (some species more than others). Each Hawaii, and also from foreign sources, er, always take precautions to reduce species has a different common name, including . levels of the harmful gas in your including king (P. cynaroides), queen cooler(s) and throughout your shop. (P. magnifica), duchess or rose spoon on arrival Unpack Proteas immedi- (P. eximia), princess (P. grandiceps), ately, and check quality. Remove from facts of life Vase life at the con- prince (P. compacta) and jester (P. the stems any foliage that would be sumer level can range from 10 to 20 obtusifolia) while some are referred to under water in storage containers. You days. Longevity varies by species and commonly by their variety names, such also can clip off upper that cover , care and environmental condi- as ‘Pink Mink’ (P. neriifolia), ‘Pink Ice’ the colored to reveal more of tions, and maturity at the time of sale. (P. hybrid) and ‘Holiday Red’ (P. obtusi- these exotic flowers’ beauty. folia, a.k.a. jester). (See the photo glos- life goes on Most species and sary on Page 20.) food and drink Recut the stems at varieties of Proteas will air-dry nicely an angle with a sharp blade, removing at either standing upright in a container or physical examination Al- least 1 inch of stem. Immediately place hanging upside down in a cool, dry, airy, though they vary in size and shape by stems into storage containers partially dark room. species, Proteas have relatively large filled with properly proportioned flower- blooms (4 to 6 inches long or 4 to 12 food solution (see “ Blackening”). family matters Proteas are mem- inches in diameter). Flower heads are Change the flower-food solution and bers of the family. Relatives either dome shaped or cone shaped and recut stems every day or every other day. include , (pin- are surrounded by stiff colored bracts cushion), (conebush), (“petals”), which are often feathery or cold care Immediately after pro- Telopea (), (spider velvety in texture, giving the flowers a cessing, place Proteas into a lighted flo- flower, silky oak) and Dryandra. crownlike or cuplike form. Stems are ral cooler at 33 F to 36 F (these flowers woody, with leathery leaves. are not tropicals), and allow them to home sweet home Proteas hydrate for at least two hours before are native to , where the color schemes Color varies by using or selling them. king protea is the national flower. species and cultivar, and (“petal”) hues include red, burgundy, pink, rose, leaf blackening Black spots on what’s in a name The green, cream and white, often with leaves, a common malady, is due to low Protea was named after Proteus, Greek fringy black, white and silvery edges. carbohydrate levels, so it is important to god of the sea, who had the power to Centers are most often white, pink or use properly proportioned flower food assume different shapes, alluding to the burgundy, sometimes with black “hairs.” solution (one with glucose rather than diversity of forms within this genus.

(SEE VARIETY GLOSSARY ON PAGE 20)

18 WWW. FLORISTSREVIEW. COM ❘ AUGUST 2012 product FRESH FLOWER

King protea (also King King protea Queen protea (also Bearded Princess protea Duchess protea, Rose-spoon sugarbush, Giant protea) (also King sugarbush, protea, Woolly-headed protea, (also Peach protea, protea (also Ray-flowered Giant protea) Giant woolly beard) Red sugarbush) protea, Spoon-bract sugarbush) ‘East Cape’ Protea cynaroides, white ‘Amore’ Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers California Cut Flower Commission Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers

Jester protea Jester protea “Mink” protea “Mink” protea “Mink” protea (also Limestone sugarbush) (also Limestone sugarbush) (also Oleander-leaved protea, (also Oleander-leaved protea, (also Oleander-leaved protea, Protea obtusifolia, white Narrow-leaf sugarbush) Narrow-leaf sugarbush) Narrow-leaf sugarbush) ‘Holiday Red’ Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers ‘Pink Mink’ Protea neriifolia ‘Niobe’ Protea neriifolia ‘Red Robe’ Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers California Cut Flower Commission Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers

“Mink” protea Sugarbush Laurel protea Laurel protea Wagon tree (also Oleander-leaved protea, (also Honey protea, Common (also Grey-leaf sugarbush) (also Grey-leaf sugarbush) (also Waboom) Narrow-leaf sugarbush) sugarbush, Cape sugarbush) ‘Pink Owl’ Protea laurifolia ‘White Owl’ Protea neriifolia ‘Helen Pink’ Rainbow Protea Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers

Queen protea hybrid Queen protea hybrid ‘Susara’ Shuttlecock protea Protea hybrid ‘Andrea’ Protea hybrid ‘Brenda’ ‘Margo’ / ‘Margot’ Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers (also Shuttlecock sugarbush) Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Rainbow Protea Protea hybrid ‘Ivy’ Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers

Protea hybrid ‘Pink Duke’ Protea hybrid ‘Pink Ice’ Protea hybrid ‘Red Baron’ Protea hybrid ‘Sylvia’ Protea hybrid Rainbow Protea (also ‘Silvan Pink’, ‘Camelot’) Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers ‘Trish Compacta’ California Cut Flower Commission Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers ■

20 WWW. FLORISTSREVIEW. COM ❘ AUGUST 2012