YIELD AND SEASONAL GROWTH FLUSHING OF PROTEA PINK ICE AND LEUCADENDRON SILVAN RED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Data on yield and growth flushing of 2 protea varieties were collected at commercial sites in South Australia over 3 years. Mean (+/- s.e.) yield of Protea 'Pink Ice' in terms of marketable stems averaged 63 (/- 7) stems/plant on a highly fertile soil to 39 (+/- 1) stems/plant o n an infertile site. On the same sites, Leucadendron 'Silvan Red' yiel ded means (+/- s.e.) of 314 (+/- 13) and 219 (+/- 5) marketable stems/ plant. Data are presented in marketing classes based on stem length. M onthly increases in stem length and diameter were used to determine se asonal growth flushing patterns in the 2 cultivars. Pink Ice commenced annual growth in August-September, reached peak growth rate in Octobe r and fell to low levels in December. Silvan Red commenced growth betw een October and November, reached peak growth rate in December and con tinued stem elongation until March when all growth ceased until the fo llowing year.