On Monday, December 12, 2011, the San Diego Horticultural Society welcomes the founder of California Protea Management and Founding Director of the California Protea Association, Ben Gill.  Ben will speak to us about the magnificent members of the proteaceae family, which traces its lineage back some 300 million years, and still provides among the most stunning plants and cutting flowers in gardens today. Ben will talk about some of the over 1,400 varieties in this family including those from Australia such as banksia, grevillea, hakea and isopogon, as well as South African leucadendrons, leucospermums and proteas. He will discuss how to grow proteas including location, soil preparation, variety selection, irrigation, fertilization and mulching, shaping, pruning and harvesting. Along the way, Ben will share with us some observations and experiences accumulated through his extensive international projects and travels.   Ben Gill has been involved with the protea business for over thirty-three years.  He has helped developed farms and ranches in California, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and China. Over the years Ben has contributed many articles to trade journals, magazines and newspapers.  He has been an expert consultant to television and horticultural news programs. He has participated in the Del Mar Fair as a speaker, display designer, and builder.  In 1989 Ben was awarded the Don Diego Trophy.   While focusing his attention on California Protea Management, Ben still finds time to offer consultation services to other landowners on development and growing techniques. Traveling whenever possible to countries where proteas are commercially grown, he has visited South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, and currently is involved in several projects in Chile and Colombia. In addition to his other activities, Ben serves as Director of the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers, Director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, and Founding Director of the Palomar College Arboretum.   The evening starts at 6:00 p.m. in the Surfside Race Place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar.  Parking is free and everyone is welcome. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. Before the lecture a plant expert will discuss one exceptional plant (a “Hot Hort Pick”) that is a star in the garden. An opportunity drawing featuring very special plants, including the Hot Hort Pick plant, will follow the lecture.   For more information, call (760) 295-7089 or visit www.sdhortsoc.org.

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