King Protea,I thought the day would never come. Plus more.

[Stan]

Its been six years since I planted it. I was told by a San Diego friend its usually happens in three or less. The day came. I also have that Pseudobombax that I posted in pots for years and it never would bloom no matter how large it got in the pot. I think I see buds on it. A few too. In a marginal climate planting things out is the way to go.

[Gee.S]

Wow, congrats!

[Meangreen94z]

Beautiful flower, how long does it last?

[Stan]

Thanks!
I don't know. First time ever growing any of the Protea family for me. I never fertilized it and being its soil mates are Pelargoniums,and Aloe rupestris..no harm there.
I have a photo of this plant from 2014 on Dave's Garden still in its gallon pot. So,confirmed,six years. If I had been told that six years ago,six year it would take to bloom? I probably would have passed. Sometimes not knowing is a good thing.

[mcvansoest]

Nice!

[Stan]

Thanks guys. When it fully opens..of course I will post a photo of that.
I'm not sure what the Pseudobombax is going to do. So many years I've had it. For it to bloom now in ground would be one special treat.
I also as you see re planted the Pachypodium that root rotted..and I did the post of trying to save it. Well,it did re root in one gallon. A good thing because even with a pick it was hard to dig a gallon hole right there..already going into summer dry. Plus hedge roots of decades old themselves. But I eventually dug a sizeable hole,put cactus mix on the bottom,mixed the same with the backfill.
Now,if IT blooms?..

[Stan]

I said plus more and left out that I put the variegated Beaucarnea in a larger and now ceramic pot. It will never have a massive base. To me,its very tree Aloe looking. If I had posted just the close up as A. dichotoma..it would pass.
Euphorbia canariensis.keeps growing. Making a statement now. Bocconia in bloom to the left.

[Meangreen94z]

Your yard is like a Dr. Seuss wonderland, very cool.

[Stan]

Thanks Mean. If a plant doesn't have a hook,lick, or good beat to it? Not interested. I want top 40!

[Stan]

Its killing me to wait for the Pseudobombax. I've posted that online since it was a slender onion bulb with a long stem. Plus,it never flowered even when it was actually larger than now, a frost 3 years ago ( or it was too cold too long,not sure now) knocked off a foot. 15 years at least and never flowered until it spent one year in ground.
The Pachy? wow..its really loving dawn to dusk sun right there on the street corner.

[Stan]

Protea update.

[Stan]

The King Protea bloom lasted a little over 3 weeks. Its now a month and is a gray dead flower. I actually expected it to last much longer,6 weeks minimum. But they dont.