RV Travels With Huggy

In an earlier post I told you all that I'd have more about those flowers known as Protea that grow at about the 2500 foot level on Mt. Haleakala. Maui Protea can be ordered to most places in the world that have overnight delivery by FedEx from Sunrise Protea Farm. We visited this farm on the same day that we went to the top of Mt. Haleakala and I decided then that I wanted to order some for Pat for Christmas. Ordering them went fine- the only problem was me deciding which one I wanted to get. These flowers come looking beautiful, then they dry to become a neat dried flower display. Due to that I thought it might be best to get one of their baskets rather than a bouquet that would need a vase, which is not provided. The basket I ordered comes in one made of bamboo wood so it should look good when the flowers have dried.

The FedEx truck arrived a bit after 13:00 Thursday, just after we had finished eating lunch. Pat's two grandkids were over for the day as their school ended for the holidays the day before. N was helping Pat bake cookies, B and I played billiards and some other games. Anyway, the kids got to see the flowers about as soon as Pat did. She recognized what they were as soon as she saw the label on the package. They should last about two weeks in very good condition, then we stop watering them and they begin the drying process. I'll let you all know later how that goes. Anyway, here are some photos I took today of the Maui Protea flowers:


This first photo shows the basket sitting on our dining room table, with the Christmas wrapping paper that I used for a background. There is one very large bloom that is known as a King Protea in the center and it has many others of various varieties grouped around it. We placed it on a small plate as the basket is not water tight, so it leaks.


Here is a closer view that still displays the King Protea pretty well but also gives a glimpse of some of the others.


A different angle showing a better view of some of the other blooms. We bought seeds while we were there that should grow some similar to the purple and black one at the center left side of the photo. However, we have learned that it is two years after planting before you should expect to see your first flower. And that is assuming that we will eventually get our sunroom built!


I've turned it a bit to get a different view of some of the other blooms.


And here is a still slightly different view.


A closeup shot of the King Protea. It measures about 4 1/2 inches across so is pretty large.

I had fun taking these photos but they really don't do justice to these amazing plants. Follow the link I included above to go check their web site and you will see other photos and what they offer to order. I don't know how well those we want to grow will do but it will be fun to try. In the meantime, we will have these to enjoy and, hopefully, continue enjoying after they dry.

Labels: Flowers, Hawaii, Photos