Domestication of Fynbos Proteaceae As a Floricultural Crop
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Bothalia 14. 3 & 4: 641-646 (1983) Domestication of fynbos Proteaceae as a floricultural crop G. J. BRITS*, G. JACOBS and M. M. VOGTS ABSTRACT Domestication of a South African group of Proteaceae, the proteas, began with their cultivation as exotics in Europe. A growing local interest in their cultivation climaxed in the publication of a popular handbook in 1958. Commercial interest in cultivation and seed sources was stimulated and led to a botanical and horticultural survey of useful species throughout their distribution range in the fynbos. Information pamphlets on cultivation requirements and seed were eventually supplied to the public as an official service. Up to 1970 cut-flowers were harvested in limited quantities, mainly from the western Cape folded mountains, and sold on the European markets. During the last decade, the export trade in fresh Proteaceae flowers has become a significant factor in the national economy. However, the original system of harvesting from the natural habitat has caused serious marketing problems, for instance, poor cut-flower quality and an erratic supply of many species. Increased exploitation has also led to unprecedented disruptive pressure on the fynbos biome system, particularly on the Proteaceae-component. It is clear that the scientific cultivation of the protea family as a floricultural crop is necessary' for its sustained growth as an economic factor, as well as for its natural conservation. The present paper gives an overview of the developments that led to the rise of the fynbos Proteaceae as a commercially cultivated crop in South Africa. RESUME INTÉRÊT HORTICOLE DE L'ACCLIMATATION DES PROTEACÉES DU FYNBOS L ’acclimatation d'un groupe sud-africain de Protéacées les protéas débuta avec leur culture en tant que plantes exotiques en Europe. Un intérêt local croissant pour leur culture aboutit á la publication d'un manuel de vulgarisation en 1958. Un intérêt commercial dans la culture et les sources de semences fut stimulé et conduisit á un inventaire botanique et horticole des espëces utiles dans toute leur aire de repartition dans le fynbos. Des prospectus sur les exigences de leur culture et sur leur propagation furent finalement offerts an public á titre de sen ice officiel. Jusqu’en 1970, les fleurs coupées furent récoltées en quantités limitées, surtout dans les montagnes plissées du Cap occidental, et vendues sur les marches européens. Pendant la derniêre décade, le marché d'exportation de fleurs fraiches de Protéacées est devenu un fracteur important dans iéconomie nationale. Cependant le premier systême de récolte, limité á /’habitat nature!, a causé de sérieux problêmes de commercialisation, par exemple la qualité mediocre des fleurs coupées et un approvisionnement irrégulier pour de nombreuses espêces. Une exploitation accrue a aussi amené une action perturbatrice sans précédent sur l'écosystême du fynbos, particuliêrement sur sa composition cn Protéacées. 11 est clair qu'une exploration scientifique des Protéacées en horticulture est nécessaire tant pour maintenir le développement de ce fracteur économique, que pour protéger la famille á iétat nature/. Le present document donne un aperqu des développements qui ont conduit les Protéacées du fynbos á devenir une culture pratiquée á une échelle commercial en Afrique du Sud. INTRODUCTION interest were the attempts, since 1913, by the The domestication of plants begins with cultiva National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch (Vogts, tion. This is, in due course, followed by improve 1962) and since about 1940, by two or three ment of techniques and plant material (Jacobs, pioneering growers (Rourke, 1980). Their success 1970). In modern society these functions are usually was based partly on hit-or-miss methods and partly assigned to scientific research. The domestication of on study and observation of the natural habitat. fynbos Proteaceae for horticultural use has been However, all fynbos proteas cultivated with signifi profoundly influenced by research contributions in cant success were grown in the winter rainfall area, their country of origin. South Africa. that is, in the region where they grow wild (Vogts, 1982). CULTIVATION The fynbos Proteaceae were first cultivated in RESEARCH Europe, An interest in the exotic plants from the Cape led to the cultivation of a number of species, First phase under highly artificial conditions, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries (Rourke, 1980). From approximately 1960, this limited scientific However, the ‘art’ was soon lost, due to the lack of approach changed. The cultivation requirements of systematic knowledge of the requirements of these proteas were identified, classified and described in a ‘strange’ plants. For the next 150 years, the only popular handbook (Vogts, 1958). The information significant cultivation of the family, popularly was drawn from the results of scientific experimen known as proteas, was at the Cape; of special tation, research and observation over a decade, of the behaviour of proteas cultivated outside their distribution range. This publication heralded the rapid establishment of protea cultivation and the * Protea Research Unit, Tygerhoek Experimental Farm. intensification and expansion of research (Vogts, Riviersonderend 7250. South Africa. 1960; Letty, 1962; Rourke, 1980). 642 DOMESTICATION OF FYNBOS PROTEACEAE AS A FLOR(CULTURAL CROP The analysis of the basic cultural requirements of many characteristics including flowering time of 52 species and 8 genera showed remarkable different populations of a species remain stable similarities within the family. Notwithstanding (Vogts, 1971; Vogts, 1980; Vogts, 1977c). It can be deviations in common needs, such as an alkaline soil accepted that the discontinuous topography of the required by some species instead of acid, it was distribution area has contributed to bringing these generally accepted that all fynbos proteas could be variants to the threshold of speciation (Vogts, 1971). considered for further investigation (Vogts, 1958). However, variants of some species may lose their The cultivation potential of proteas focused distinguishing features in cultivation and revert back attention on their economic potential (Vogts, 1982). to the average, their characters obviously dependent World-wide interest in the new and exotic in the on changeable environmental conditions. An exam cut-flower trade was indeed an impetus to bring ple is the brilliant red of Leucadendron salignum these wild plants under human control. from the Cold Bokkeveld (Vogts, 1980). At the same time, a breakthrough was achieved Evaluation and selection for further research when South African proteas came on the European Over 150 species in their wild state proved to have flower markets (Middelmann, 1981b). Most of these some economic potential, 86 to a very high degree flowers were harvested directly from plants in the (Vogts, 1972). For practical reasons, only a few habitat. Hopes for the future of cultivation were, could be considered for intensive research. Those however, high and a ‘South African Indigenous with the highest score of combined favourable Flower Growers’ Association’ was formed in 1965 characteristics were chosen. (Anonymous, 1965). Economic and horticultural potential was asses sed on a number of points, of which the following Conservation were the most important (Vogts, 1980): The first serious problem which confronted the Attractive and arresting appearance, colour, new phase of horticultural exploitation of proteas, shape and size of flowerhead; foliage attrac was the protection of the natural sources of material. tive but not dominating, The exciting new interest in growing proteas for gain Flowerhead not hidden or pendulous, resulted in great numbers of prospective commercial Erect growth providing good flowerstems, growers harvesting plant material in the wild without Good cultivation potential and availability of the necessary know-how. Irreparable harm to rare propagation material, plants, waste of seed collected at the wrong stage, Stability cf characters, and waste due to incorrect cultural methods soon led Desired flowering times, to a disastrous state of affairs. This was eventually Postharvest quality, brought under control, not so much by law No obnoxious odour. enforcement, as by expert guidance (Vogts et al., 1972) and by providing reproductive material Finally, about 14 species and a number of variants of (McCann, 1977; Anonymous, 1980). These official the genera Protea, Leucospermum, Leucadendron conservation actions were based on an awareness of and Serruria were selected for commercial cultiva the need to keep the natural resources intact (Vogts, tion. Examples are the red, summer-flowering 1982). variant of Protea repens (Vogts, 1980) and ten variants of Protea cynaroides, chosen to allow year-round production of flowers of this species (Vogts, 1977c). Reconnaissance survey of available resources: species, variants and ecotypes Second phase It was realized by the authorities that, in order to The above-mentioned pioneering research and cope with the growing interest in protea cultivation, publicity were prerequisites to the cultivation of an overall survey of the distribution area of the proteas on a commercial level in South Africa. They 300-odd species of Cape Proteaceae had to be also led to limited attempts at cultivation and undertaken (Nel, 1965). Localities in the south research in other countries, for example in New western and southern Cape ranging from Clanwil- Zealand (Brits,