Orites myrtoidea

[markp]

Has anyone else tried growing this Proteaceae from Chile. I germinated about 2 dozen 4 or 5 years ago and a diminishing number struggle on year by year and I'm down to 9 now. I've tried various types of growing medium, variations of light + moisture levels etc with no real success other than a few are still surviving! Any advice appreciated.

[LONGK]

Welcome to the forum Mark :)

It is a family that so far I've resisted the temptation of so I cannot help. I'm also sure that you are aware of the following page.............

http://www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/ ... EH0066.htm

All that I can say having read it is well done for getting as far as you have. Clearly your biggest challenge is recreating a volcanic medium to grow it in with the correct level of acidity to match.
This may sound like a dumb-assed idea but have you considered Camelia feed?

As I say, I'm no expert.

[charlie]

Welcome to the Forum Mark

I have never tried it but I suspect that given its natural habitat being extremely narrow that we are too cool and humid for it to be happy? lack of UV may also be playing a part?

It appears to grow in neat volcanic lava granules, not sure how you go about replicating that! But I do remember Guy Moore (anyone know where he is these days?) telling me that Proteaceae have a special sort of root system and don't like having it mucked about with.