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California Gardening Garden Clinic garden

Protea browning and browning

3 years ago

I live on the Central Coast in CA. I have what I believe to be well draining, sandy soil. Planted the Protea back in March and it seemed to be doing great up until about a week ago when I noticed it starting to droop down toward the ground. Upon closer inspection, the base of the plant is yellowing. Any ideas on what I can do to make this guy happier?

Featured Answer

Sara Malone Zone 9b

3 years ago

Which Protea? It may be just too hot for it. They are native to Mediterranean climate so theoretically will grow here but unless you are in a spot that gets some summer fog, they can bake. I'm in Petaluma, where we have a lot of maritime influence, and even mine are not super happy in mid-summer. Yours is newly planted, without an established root system. In the absence of other info, that's where I would begin.

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Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
any chance at a pic or 2
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Susan Highland USDA Zone 9b
3 years ago
@Sara Malone Zone 9b WHICH Mediterranean Climate? I've been to "The Mediterranean many times and there are MANY Subclimates just like California. I remember once basking in the warm waters of Greece and enjoying the warm breezes to the mountains of Portugal where I was freezing in shorts and a tube top. Some nice lady from England (also a tourist, but she knew how to dress for Portugal), poured a bunch of whatever was in her flask into my coffee. Anyway, I said that to say this, knowing the variety of the Protea and it's specific needs would help. I find google to be a great friend.
Sara Malone Zone 9b
3 years ago
Exactly. These are from South Africa. Pretty mild.
Gaby C
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for the feedback!! Here are some pictures. I'm a novice and didn't jot down the name of the plant after planting, but I think it's a yellow Pincushion Protea (Leucospermum). I live in Monterey, in our "Sunbelt" area about a mile from the ocean. We get full, sometimes intense sun in our yard. Yard is South facing.
Sara Malone Zone 9b
3 years ago
I'm guessing that it is the combination of a new plant and hot summer. I can't speak to the droopiness, not knowing the plant's normal attitude (some are very upright, other not) but the yellowing leaves are the old leaves which the plant would naturally jettison as they become more of a liability than an asset. Can you put a temporary shade structure over it? Even an upturned lawn chair?
stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
3 years ago
More water. It takes years before Protea get drought resistant. They need summer watering..at least average amounts,especially with newly planted shrubs or trees.
Gaby C
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you everyone for the help. I will try to shade it 😊.
stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
3 years ago
There is a new post on Daves Garden,about a Leucodendron and Protea hobbyist who says,they take at least two years to settle in . My King Protea took at least 4 before it got by on average water.

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