Harvesting and postharvest handling
Leucadendrons may be harvested two years after planting. Most proteas are not harvested until at least the third year, when flower numbers and stem length make harvesting economic.
Harvest every two to three days. This will vary depending on time of the year and species. For worker convenience and product quality, pick early in the day, especially in summer and autumn.
From experience to date, leucadendrons tend to colour earlier in the lower South West. Colouring, particularly for summer/autumn species, is later near Perth. To determine the optimum time to harvest each species, consult your exporter.
Flowers and foliage are usually harvested direct into water, using sharp secateurs. The product is graded by stem length and the lower leaves are usually removed. Proteas are generally marketed fresh, but some are dried or sulphur-treated.
For fresh proteas, place the stems into clean water containing 2% sugar and 50ppm available chlorine. Store stems overnight at 2°C before grading and packing, or pack and cool in cartons using forced-air cooling.
Leaf blackening of Proteas may occur within 4 days of picking in the dark and may be caused by lack of carbohydrates. Use of the above vase solution may reduce this effect.
If insect contamination is expected, treat or fumigate export shipments with recommended insecticides.
Most growers sell their flowers and foliage directly to a wholesaler or exporter. Establish and maintain close contact with your exporter. Do not assume that once the product leaves your farm, it is the exporter’s problem.
Acknowledgements
This information has been adapted from an earlier publication by Mark Webb assisted by Julie Pegrum, Bob Harington, Grace Sedgely and James Wood. Thanks also to Proteaflora (Victoria) for permission to use their information on pruning.
References and further reading
Cultivation and diseases of Proteaceae: Leucadendron, Leucospermum and Protea, BIO CBS Biodiversity Series 13. Pedro W Crous, Sandra Denman, Joanne E. Taylor, Lizeth Swart, Carolien M Bezuidenhout, Lynn Hoffman, Mary E Palm & Johannes Z Groenewald 2013. Utrecht: CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre. [CBS Biodiversity Series no. 13.] p. 360, fig 152, plate 34.
Protea cultivation: From concept to carton, Dr Gerhard Malan, 2013. Available at fynflor@iafrica.com 289 pp.
Protea diseases: Handbook of diseases of cut flower proteas, Sharon von Broembsen, 1989. Published by the International Protea Association.