Did you try australianplants.com. 800.701.6517

They don't list that one, but they may know who can get it.

One link on a google search mentioned ""Fire survival: Killed, only seeds survive"" Which sounds like the seed must be treated with heat somehow.

http://protea.worldonline.co.za/sugar3.htm
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You may already know of the CA Protea Assoc.
http://californiaprotea.org/Pics/index.html

I didn't see the variety you asked for, but they may know where it can be found and propogation tricks.
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San Marcos Growers
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/alphabetical.asp?strLetter=P&page=10
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Eureka Gardens [Valley Center, CA]
http://www.eureka-farms.com/

notice that they have a seed starter kit ....
http://www.discoverprotea.com/protea-seed/starter-packs
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I was so sure that there is a protea farm just north of Escondido ... next to PLANT WORLD ... but couldn't find, so maybe not there anymore.

Thank you both for the information. I did use the "smoke starter" pads and the seeds germinated (maybe 30%?) which would have been fine. It's after that when the problems arise. I have been in touch with most of the nurseries that you mentioned, but none of them have P. subvestita. I am interested in it because it is supposed to be just about the most cold hardy protea there is. I could try others in pots, but they would definitely have to come indoors for the winter and I don't think they would do well for 5 or more months in the house.

I'll try the two places that I have not contacted yet.
Thanks again!

I don't think you will have much luck with Protea subvestita in Rhode Island conditions even if you do manage to find a source. This species is more used to just occasional freezes in habitat and not weeks at a time, and also won't like the humidity in summer of your location.

I'd recommend growing more commonly available species as container plants, and pull them into a cool greenhouse for the winter, one that also has fans going for good ventilation in winter and is heated to 40 or 45F at night in winter and into the 60'sF in the day. They would do well for you under these conditions as long as your summers aren't too humid in summer, and you gave them the special soil mix conditions and fertilizer regimen that they need as container plants.

There aren't really any South African Proteacea shrubs in the Protea/Leucadendron/Leucospermum species that are going to do well with East Coast USA conditions, although they do manage to grow them in the display greenhouse gardens at that large private botanic garden outside of Philadelphia, I can't seem to recall the name. Essentially they are growing them as a controlled greenhouse plant that seeks to replicate summer/winter Mediterranean climate conditions and is full of typical outdoor California garden plants such as Acacias, Agapanthus, Proteaacea shrubs, Tibouchina, etc. They do heat the greenhouses to keep them above freezing in winter, but not tropical hot house warmth, and also cool the temps in summer so they are not so extreme as outdoors in summer.

The few Protea members that aren't native to South Africa's Mediterranean climate zones are all montane species that would be accustomed to cooler nights in summer due to altitude, and little winter rainfall, no weeks long subfreezing temperatures without daytime warmup, and daily temperature fluctuations year round rather than hot nights. This is difficult to replicate at sea level along the East Coast USA.

I don't have a greenhouse, but I do have an unheated sunroom that will provide those temperatures in winter, and I generally keep the ceiling fan on low or medium as well. It just might work, except for the large containers that would be needed. May not be enough room and I can't carry them in and out every year. That's why I thought I'd try P. subvestita. But it's a moot point anyway because it seems that nobody in the US has plants for sale. I've found sources in Europe but they can't ship to the US for agricultural reasons.

I've been able to grow several Proteas, Leucadendrons and Leucospermums as container plants in 15 gallon sized black nursery pots for over 5 years, and they are portable enough if placed on a dolly/rolling support. I would suggest staying away from species that have furrier/predominantly gray foliage, as they will be more sensitive to too much humidity and low light levels in winter leading to rot.

You might be interested to know that Annie's Annuals often has Proteacea species from Silverhill Seed source that they offer mail order in 4 inch pot sizes, and you can see their offerings at www.anniesannuals.com.

I would tend to think that the various Leucadendron salignum cultivars with varying flowering periods and colors might be the easiest to grow as indoor/outdoor plants in your climate. They are certainly more broadly tolerant of more winter cold than most of the Leucospermum cordifolium cultivars, but then again, these are more readily available as blooming one gallon plants in the trade. They are often offered in full bloom at places like Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware stores here in California, and the wholesaler Nurseryman's Exchange here in the SF Bay Area is a leading supplier for them. I am not sure if they grow them directly, or are simply growing them to size from plugs supplied from Australia/New Zealand.

The Protea subvestita doesn't look like it is one of the more showy flowering proteas, and I would recommend Protea 'Pink Ice' as a longer bloom period, large showy flowered hybrid, that is also much more tolerant of pot culture and some cold than pure species. Protea 'Pink Ice' can be in bloom 9 months out of the year here in the SF Bay Area, and has easily taken occasional 25F winter freezing without dying, but still can't be expected to take this degree of cold for weeks at a time without let up. Leucadendron salignum cultivars are similarly hardy here to 25F temps.

Bahia,
Thanks for all the information.
I know that subvestita is not one of the better looking Proteas, but it was the only one that might have a chance to survive here, so I can't be too choosy. I do appreciate the suggestions for other types for container growing, but I would have to limit the choice to the smallest growing types. I don't know if there are dwarf hybrids of any of the Protea family, but those would be the only ones I could physically handle. I'll need to do more research there.

Annie's is an amazing website, which I will visit often! Thanks again for that!

I planted a bunch of Protea subvestita seeds this spring, and ~40 of them have germinated. Barring any unforseen disasters, hopefully I'll have some available for distribution in the months to come.