ISHS Acta Horticulturae 545: V International Protea Research Symposium
PROTEA PRODUCTION IN MADEIRA ISLAND - ADVANTAGES AND CONSTRAINTS |
| Author: | P.F. Rodrigues |
| Keywords: | protea production, Madeira Island, advantages, constraints, Protea, Leucospermum, Leucadendron |
| Abstract:
Cultivation of plants from the Proteaceae family was initiated in Madeira in the seventies. Initially only seed grown material was used, and Protea cynaroides, Protea magnifica, Protea neriifolia, Protea compacta, Protea grandiceps were the major species used for fresh flower production. The orchards were very poorly handled and maintained and the production obtained was of inferior quality. Nevertheless during this period the market demands allowed that situation to continue up to the middle of the nineties. At the present moment Madeira Island has 14 hectares of proteas planted. Most of them are still planted with seed material. Protea neriifolia, Protea cynaroides, Protea ‘Pink Ice’, and Protea ‘Susara’ are the most representative Protea species/cultivars, Leuscospermum cordifolium is the most frequent Leucospermum species and Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ is also the most frequent Leucadendron. New techniques are being introduced such as fertigation with the application of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and micronutrients; soil preparation with the introduction of ridging; weed mat (black or white); new pruning techniques in order to control flower production; different planting densities in order to use as much as possible the available soil (up to 10.000 plants per hectare); and new genetic material to improve quality in the right flowering periods. Also planting at different altitudes has proved that Madeira Island can produce almost any specie/variety, including Protea magnifica, if needed. Regarding the constraints to the protea industry development in Madeira Island, the price of the land is very restrictive to the establishment of new orchards. Also the distance to the potential markets and its psychological effect on small farmers tends to make them feel unsafe about the investments. The lack of experience and training on how to grow proteas is also an important problem. | |
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