Most exotic plants come from far away and are difficult to plant here. But not the African sugar bush. It's easy to grow and care for.
The sugar bush, known as Protea in specialist circles, comes mainly from Africa and even occurs there in over 100 different species. Although related proteas could also be found in Australia by expert botanists. In our part of the world, it became known primarily in the flower trade for its eye-catching flowers, which are extremely decorative even when bound alone.
By the way, the king protea is considered the national flower of South Africa, which again shows how beautiful this plant is. For anyone who wants to bring the sugar bush into their garden, here is everything you need to know about growing and caring for the African plant.
Plant Sugar Bush
The sugar bush thrives best as a container plant. The sowing should be done in spring - if possible in semi-shady outdoors, because the sugar bush hardly affects temperature fluctuations and even promotes its growth. However, freezing temperatures should be avoided as far as possible. You have to plant the seed about a finger deep in pots that can optimally drain the irrigation water, since you have to keep the seed constantly moist.
Proteas can also usually be planted outdoors without any problems. However, you should choose a sheltered location and enrich the soil with compost or fertilizers, for example. The bush is also suitable for keeping in the conservatory.
Hint:
You should first place the seed in hot water (about 50 degrees) for about 30 minutes and then let it dry well on a cotton cloth before planting it in the ground. You should also use a mixture of humus peat, sand and a little perlite as potting soil.
You will then need a little patience until the first signs of plant growth become visible. Sometimes this only takes 3 weeks, sometimes 2 months. As an alternative to planting yourself, you can, of course, also buy larger sugarbush plants in a well-stocked garden storeto buy. When buying, however, you should pay attention to the country of origin of the plants in order to ensure problem-free application outdoors.
Care of the African plant
➤ Move potted plants:
As soon as the self-grown seedlings become visible in the form of leaves or have grown, you should move the sugar bushes to a moderately sunny location.
➤ Casting:
During a complete season, you always have to water the sugar bush, which depending on the variety has a really impressive display of flowers that are largely like a thistle. To absolutely avoid waterlogging, you can also keep the plant moist with a spray bottle.
➤ Fertilize:
You should only use additional fertilizers if necessary, because the plant is naturally at home in nutrient-poor soil. However, when you fertilize, it is imperative that you use a phosphate-free fertilizer as this can encourage flowering.
Hint:
It is best to spread some bark mulch around the outdoor plant, as this can store moisture very well in the long term.
➤ Repot:
If you have to repot the plant once in its life, you should do this as a whole if possible, because it has an extremely sensitive root system.
➤ Overwintering:
Proteas only tolerate our winter frost to a limited extent, which is why you should overwinter the plants in a cool but bright room. During this time they may only be watered a little in order to be able to go into a kind of regenerative winter break. You should ventilate the room where the protea overwinters well to prevent fungal diseases on the plant.