Gerard wrote:I did a layer on a banksia marginata, (mini Marge) earlier this year during the growing season. It produced a lot of roots in 10 short weeks and has not missed a beat since being severed
Hi Gerard,
Thanks for the info mate. I feel quite confident that the layers will work very well on this species. But, as the old saying goes, "You don't know unless you give it a try". I'll post the results as the layers develop.
Jarad wrote:Did you ever get confirmation of what the specie this tree is?
Hi Jarad,
No mate, I haven't been able to gain any more info concerning the origins of this species. As Ash and Grant have said it couldn't have come from up in the Cape. I suspect the area that Grant mentioned, (Green Cape), is most probably closer to the area where these originally came from.
Hi Pearcy001,
I will get back to you on this in a few weeks time. I'm in a situation where I can't take any new photos at present. I will certainly keep you updated when I am able.
Hi Pearcy001,
I have been able to take some up to date photos. Considering how long we have been away, plus the neglect the poor trees had earlier this year, the results are looking very encouraging. Up to this point I have only had a couple of flowers the last couple of years. The tree has over 20 flower cones this year. Each of the two layers have cones. I really shouldn't but I'm going to let the layers flower just as an exercise. After they flower I will remove the layers and start to cut the tree back to develop a bonsai.
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Regards Ray
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Ray M wrote:I have been able to take some up to date photos. Considering how long we have been away, plus the neglect the poor trees had earlier this year, the results are looking very encouraging. Up to this point I have only had a couple of flowers the last couple of years. The tree has over 20 flower cones this year. Each of the two layers have cones. I really shouldn't but I'm going to let the layers flower just as an exercise. After they flower I will remove the layers and start to cut the tree back to develop a bonsai.
Hi Ray,
It's great to see you're on the mend at the moment mate, it sounded like you had quite the rough start to the year.
Thanks for the update. It appears to be chugging along quite nicely considering the neglect it would have had. Could having so many more cones this year be a result of the neglect causing a positive to the Banksia?
Can I ask what the theory is behind letting the layers flower? I'm assuming it is purely for your enjoyment (and I don't blame you haha)
It's great to see you're on the mend at the moment mate, it sounded like you had quite the rough start to the year.
Thanks for the update. It appears to be chugging along quite nicely considering the neglect it would have had. Could having so many more cones this year be a result of the neglect causing a positive to the Banksia? Mate, that's a very good question. I don't know the answer. The other possibility is that the tree is maturing more.
Can I ask what the theory is behind letting the layers flower? I'm assuming it is purely for your enjoyment (and I don't blame you haha) You hit the nail on the head. I just want to see how it looks and if the layers can cope with requiring a lot more vigour to produce the flowers. I had to feed the layers when I came home and they already look like they can do with some more. I use a syringe to inject a Seasol mix into the layers.
Cheers,
Pearcy.
Hi all,
Update on how the flower cones developed. I will cut them off soon and then remove the layers. After removing the layers I will let the tree recover and then the BIG chop.
The base is now 180mm in diameter above the soil level. I haven't disturbed the tree, will wait until it has had a chop. It will be interesting to see whats below the surface.
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Regards Ray
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