Well, mine are happy at anywhere between 80F (26c) to 105F (40.5) in full sun. They do okay down to freezing for short periods, USUALLY we get down to freezing maybe 2-3 hours a winter, but drainage must be at an optimum to prevent root rot.
They don't like humidity as far as I know.

Thank you for that heathen1. We maybe get that high in the greenhouse and then I could pop them in the fridge at night to cool them down to around 5c. I understand from a google search that there must be a day and night temperature difference. I'm waiting for my smoke discs and then I can get going. I'll post a message if anything happens.
Hazel.

You don't need smoke discs. You can take a stick, burn it and use the burnt part just like a disc. I am sorry, I didn't make it clear... the hot temps are for the summer, and the cold temps are for the winter. :D You don't have to have both during the summer.
Oh, more tips, if you can give them tall pots versus short wide pots, they will be happier, they have a long tap root. And really, be CAREFUL with the fertilizer... they don't like much, because of their special ability to use micro amounts of nutrients in the soil, if you fertilize them much, they will 'overdose' and die. They are very happy in lean soil.

Hello Heathen1,I didn't know I could just use a burnt stick.Thank you for the tip about which pots to use I'll be optimistic and assume I get that far! I won't use any phostrogen at all and will use poor soil.
I'll hopefully have some good news.
Hazel.

you're welcome! The 'smoke' disc is because they germinate best after a forest fire and a rain.... so you can just simulate that with a burnt stick. :o)

Hello Heathen1, I couldn't wait any longer and I gently removed all the protea seeds and washed them in cooled boiled water to get rid of the growing medium and get a good look at them. I know it's early days but I was delighted to see one of them had a miniscule little root just emerging. I've replanted all very carefully and I will now leave them alone. I hope I haven't harmed them as I know the roots are very fragile. What price patience?!
Hazel.

Hazel, I am following the progress of your protea seeds with great interest. They are fascinating plants. When did you plant them? You sound as though you have been very careful in looking for signs of growth, so I'm sure no harm was done....I have a tendancy to do the same with seeds!!
D/D No2 is off to South Africa in Oct to visit boyfriends family, hopefully she can bring some packets of seeds back for me to experiment with. Had email back from DEFRA with info on what is and isn't allowed into UK, so will print it off to take with her... she doesn't know yet! Ha!
Did you go to the Gardeners World do at the NEC this year? Almost got tickets ourselves, glad we didnt though with me having the accident, would never have made it.
How are your plumies doing? Celadine is so slow in leafing out, but the 4 seedlings are doing well.
Keep us posted on the proteas?
Regards, Gill.

Hello Gill, I'm glad you're feeling better. I didn't go to the NEC show.I'm more inclined to use the money on plants from elsewhere rather than the high entrance and carpark charges.My plumerias are lovely and I'm trying to root a piece of Celadine. My sister has given me back the Celadine I raised for her at the same time as mine(from NEC) years ago as she is unable to care for it. I have it in the bedroom as it's now too big to move! I will try to take a photo as it's now in flower.(I'll post on the plumeria forum)
I took your advice and phoned the UPVC people but they said the pink sill is permanant( Jim hasn't seen it yet). I'm very excited about my proteas but I've got a long way to go(or rather they have)!!
Hazel.

Hi Hazel, I am a lot better now thank you. Yes, we too think the show is getting a tad expensive, plus those rip-off parking fees on top, by the time we have paid those plus diesel, it's wave goodbye to around £60! Can go a long way on plants can that! This year it was combined with 2 other shows, so I guess it would be extra busy and crowded.
Hope your Celadine roots...look foward to your pics back on the plumie forum, mine is so slow this year, leaves only 2inch max at present...need that sun.
Bad news re the UPVC incident....fingers crosed your D/H won't spot it!
Keep us posted on those proteas?
Gill.