Episode 102- Protea: Long-Term Beauty

International Viewers- Watch Video at this Link!

Host J Schwanke explores protea, one of the oldest flowers in the world. Visit a protea farm, and learn how to incorporate this exotic flower into crafts, cocktails, and entertaining.

*There’s Bonus Content- just follow the Blue Links!

J shows off a Bansia Protea- this amazing flower has leaves that look as if they have been trimmed with a pinking shears!

J shows off a Bansia Protea- this amazing flower has leaves that look as if they have been trimmed with a pinking shears!

The Prehistoric Protea Flower
J explores the Popular and Prehistoric Protea on this week’s Life in Bloom show. There are over 1600 different kinds of Protea. J shares examples of King and Queen Protea, Banksia or Bottle Brush Protea, Mink Protea, and Pin Cushion Protea (which are actually Leucospermum – rather than protea- but often referred to as Protea).

Protea get their Name from Proteus

Also known as the shape shifter- Proteus could change his appearance to avoid detection.

Protea are name for the Greek God Proteus – AKA The Shape-shifter- who could change his appearance at will- to disguise himself- and go undetected. Protea come in so many different shapes, colors, sizes and styles- that “Protea” is a wonderful term!

Pin Cushion Protea

Leucospermum Protea at Resendiz Brothers Farm in Fallbrook CA.

Visit to Resendiz Brothers Protea Farm in Fallbrook, CA
Join J as he visits Resendiz Brothers – a California Flower Farmer- that specializes in Protea, Wax Flower, Grevillea, and Kangaroo Paws. Mel Resendiz is a long time friend … and J has visited the farm several times- to create documentaries about this American Grown Flower Farm. Join J for his two visits-  A Visit to Resendiz Brothers  and  The Spring Flowers at Resendiz Brothers!

J visits Mel Resendiz at his Protea Farm in Fall Brook California- to learn more about Protea!

J visits Mel Resendiz at his Protea Farm in Fall Brook California- to learn more about Protea!

Crafts in Bloom- Block Printing with Protea with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood is a Craft Expert- and her and J have been friends for years… She’s been featured several times on J’s First Web-based TV Show- JTV- You can catch those visits here: Creating Felt Flowers - and Creating Gift Wrapping Paper – and Creating Craft Christmas Trees!

J joins Craft Expert Jennifer Ackerman Heywood to block print Protea on Life in Bloom!

J joins Craft Expert Jennifer Ackerman Heywood to block print Protea on Life in Bloom!

Jennifer also hosts her own website- all about crafting- with Pod Casts and other creative Crafting Information. Visit www.Craftsanity.com and learn more about Jennifer and her Craft World!

This simple impressive centerpiece is easy to create with floating Candles, pin cushion protea and two vases!

This simple impressive centerpiece is easy to create with floating Candles, pin cushion protea and two vases!

Easy Protea Centerpiece
This is a fun project- with just a few 5 Pin Cushion Protea- 2 Vases and 2 Floating candles. Protea are durable and long lasting- and are great for entertaining centerpieces-  Check out another one of J’s Protea projects on his website uBloom.com where there are hundreds of other flower arranging projects – Create a Yellow and Green Arrangement with Protea and Succulents!

Side by side comparison of a Fresh and Dried Protea Wreath Decoration

Side by side comparison of a Fresh and Dried Protea Wreath Decoration

Drying Protea for Long Lasting Beauty
This is a great project- featuring one of Mel Resendiz incredible wreaths- although it’s a Christmas Project- this shows how great the protea dry- and how you can use them season after season- check it out on J’s Youtube channel – “Protea Wreaths”- if you like it subscribe to his channel!

Re-purposing a Protea Wine Bottle into a vase to accompany the cheese tray!

Re-purposing a Protea Wine Bottle into a vase to accompany the cheese tray!

Flower Cocktail Hour- Wine & Cheese Board- and Decorative Vase
I’m completely into recycling- and I love to cut off wine bottles to create a vase – that can match the Wine I’m serving to my guests- this project is great because I had a friend- that is Highly Skilled cut the top off of a bottle (using a special saw blade- and GOGGLES). Let the expert be the the expert- I always say! Now I have a Vase that matches the bottles of PROTEA Wine… (you can find the Protea Wine – a wonderful summer white wine) at your local Wine Merchant! Learn more here about Protea Wines!

J Schwanke's Life in Bloom explores the prehistoric protea

J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom explores the prehistoric protea

Pink Mink Protea and Pin Cushion Leucospermum- Featured Flowers
The Featured flowers this week are Mink Protea and Pin Cushion “Protea” aka Leucospermum. Both are Native to South Africa- but can be grown in Northern Climates- but not where you get snow or freezing temps- sorry to say! Both are Composite flowers- but the interesting thing about Pin Cushions- is that the tiny -”Pins” are actually the Pistols of the Flower- Mink can grow 6-15 feet tall – while Pins grow 4-8 feet tall. Both Flowers last about 2-3 weeks in a vase.  To learn about all the different kinds of Protea- that Resendiz Brothers grow- and to sign up for their Newsletter- visit www.ResendizBrothers.com

Hand Tied Protea Bouquet

Protea are a Popular Flower- even for Weddings with today’s Brides!