Protea stokoei

Scientific name

Protea stokoei grows to a height of 2 m, but under ideal conditions can grow to a height of 3 m. It is an erect shrub and is sparsely branched. As in many proteas, the leaves are thick and leathery and are oval in shape. They are 90-160 mm long and 10-60 mm wide, with a round, almost pointed tip and red margin. Young leaves are hairy, but as they mature they tend to lose this feature.

Propagation instructions

By seed

As this is a difficult species to propagate and grow, asexual propagation or smoke treatment are the preferred methods.

Sow seeds in March (autumn) as this is the time of year when the temperature fluctuates and dormancy in seed is broken. Fill a seed tray with fynbos soil (which consists of 25% pine bark, 25% loam soil and 50% coarse river sand) as the rooting medium. Evenly sow seeds and cover with a fine layer of soil. The old-fashioned, tried-and-tested smoke treatment is used at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden to assist with germination; however, smoke discs can also be used. It takes about 3 months before any signs of germination will appear. Once germinated, spray the seedlings with a fungicide in order to prevent any loss. Plant seedlings into individual planting bags and feed with a liquid fertiliser in order to strengthen the roots and for general growing needs.