Progression thread: Banksia marginata 3
This specimen was purchased from Bonsai World for $16
They need fast drainage, and don't like having wet feet. You will rot the roots if your drainage isn't good.
I add washed river sand to the mix to give it excellent drainage.
You MUST keep a lot of foliage on them at all times and try to ensure all the branching gets a lot of sun otherwise the shaded branches will decline in health fairly soon. Even when you do a trunk chop, try to do it and leave foliage on the tree as well.
I only do root-work when its growing strong in the warmer months and putting out new growth. But wait till the new growth is a little hard before touching the roots, (in my experience).
I usually leave a lot of the foliage on them, even after a heavy root removal.
The branching takes a long time to harden, so they are easy to style. They look really good with the clip-and-grow method instead of wiring.
With this particular specimen, I am yet to start work on it, and have only trimmed it back and separated the roots after its initial root prune.
I have grand plans for this one.
But slow and steady is the way to win these over.
Bonsai is about patience.
29 Sep 2019
10 Jan 2022
Banksia marginata 3
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2842
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 479 times
Banksia marginata 3
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2842
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 479 times
Re: Banksia marginata 3
I wont say I'm not dissapointed. A gum tree branch snapped off the lower branch on this beauty. I will wait many years until the first section of the trunk thickens a lot more and the scar heals over more before I remove the thick branch to the right. This was repotted in September and is doing fabulously now.
I realize its not quite yet 01.01.2023, but its easier to post that its 2023, so looking back people can easily distinguish that its a year apart. Its only 1 day before the actual date.
01Jan2023
I realize its not quite yet 01.01.2023, but its easier to post that its 2023, so looking back people can easily distinguish that its a year apart. Its only 1 day before the actual date.
01Jan2023
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2842
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 479 times
Re: Banksia marginata 3
Gosh I love this tree.
Its been placed into a Kai Watanabe (Tokoname) Japanese pot.
The plan is still to remove the branch growing off to the right at the base. But I probably wont remove it for another 5 years or so until it really thickens the base and heals the scar. I want it to develop a very thick base to support the entire upper structure. I love tall Banksia, so it needs to have a solid foundation for the future.
17Nov2023
Its been placed into a Kai Watanabe (Tokoname) Japanese pot.
The plan is still to remove the branch growing off to the right at the base. But I probably wont remove it for another 5 years or so until it really thickens the base and heals the scar. I want it to develop a very thick base to support the entire upper structure. I love tall Banksia, so it needs to have a solid foundation for the future.
17Nov2023
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227