Banksia serrata Green Cape

[Grant Bowie]

I purchased this tree a few years ago and at the time it was a very awkward, upright twin trunk that I did not think suited the type of tree it was at all.

The first thing I did was cut out the two upright trunks; left a bit of a stub and sealed the cuts. After a few years of observation I probably gained nothing by trying to allow the cut portions to dry out slowly and redirect the growth; I will just cut back, slightly hollow out and seal from now on so the roll over process can start straight away.

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I will repot the tree in the next few weeks.

Grant

[Pup]

Hi ya Grant merry Christmas to you and Margaret.

Question, do you treat this Banksia the same as the standard Serrata ? in as much as pruning/thining and repotting?
By the way a very nice start to this one. Will be interesting to watch its developement.

Cheers Pup

[Grant Bowie]

Hi ya Grant merry Christmas to you and Margaret.

Question, do you treat this Banksia the same as the standard Serrata ? in as much as pruning/thining and repotting?
By the way a very nice start to this one. Will be interesting to watch its developement.

Cheers Pup

Hi Pup,

It is a more compact form of the serrata in all ways and is probably not as vigorous(elongation and early growth spurt wise) due to the natural selection process where it grows naturally. Anything that pops its head up too quick would get blasted by the incessant wind where it lives. The bark does seem to be thicker as well to withstand the battering it gets in its natural climate.

I have basically treated it the same over the time I have had it. In nature I only saw trees up to about 2 meters tall; rather than its potentially much bigger species.

Thinning will be more to remove clutter or too much growth at the one spot.

It seems to be a hardy plant.

Grant

[Pup]

Thank you Grant that has been of great help, I cantreat my Serrata with confidence now.

Cheers Pup