2010-11-19 Protea!

One of the Protea repens that I started from seed from Fynbos People in October 2007 is blooming in my greenhouse. This is the very first Protea I've ever grown to blooming size (with plenty more on the way from both Fynbos and Silverhill Seeds). Potting mix is 1.5 parts washed quarter minus gravel, 1 part orchid bark, 1 part perlite, 1 part pumice, and half a part of Turface MVP. I usually don't fertilize, but I have added Ironite from time to time and this Fall I fertilized with Alfalfa meal which has 0 phosphate (since high phosphate kills Protea). There is a second inflorescence on the same plant that is soon to open. I'm surprised that the plant didn't wait until February to bloom... This is probably the only Protea blooming within 100mi, or more perhaps...