PROTEACEAE

Waratah

 

1.0m - 8.0m (100-800cm) 

Flower heads 5-8cm across with 15-20 small, scarlet, red or, rarely, yellow or pink florets. 

Seed follicles 

Shrub with stout spreading branches or a small tree. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Wet Eucalypt Forest; Dry eucalypt forest to montane 

Mountain forests at altitudes between 600 and 1200m. 

Moist; Rocky; Shady 

Hardy 

Clay; Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained 

As with all other Proteaceae, waratahs have a root association with a particular fungus. To ensure growth, take soil from around the base of a growing wartah and mix it into the potting mix. (The old way was to put a rock from waratah country in the bottom of the pot). Beware of transplanting diseases!! Not easy to keep alive in cultivation in the S.E. of the state. Best results at higher altitudes. Grows reliably in the N.W. Well-drained cool moist sites recommended. When growing naturally on clay , the clay will be dolerite or basalt derived. Not suitable below powerlines. 

Dark brown woody follicle containing two rows of winged seeds. collect the follicles once they have started hardening. it is not necessary to wait until they open 

Standard 

 

 

Seed less than 6months old usually has good results. Seedlings are very susceptible to damping off. 

3-6 weeks 

 

 

 

No 

Cuttings are possible. Tip cuttings down to hardening wood. Discard soft tips.