A tall banksia

[squizzy]

This is a tall banksia I got a few yaers back from ray.

I have done a bit of branch developement with it but it still seems to thin and spaced for me.

I am putting it up here nore for virual design rather than critique although happy to hear any thoughts really.

I think I would like to keep it tall so it resembles a natural integrifolia to a degree.

Please let me have it.

Squizz

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[emi93m]

Hi Squizzy I like your Banksia it looks a lot fuller than the one I bought from Rays " I think our trees might be related " I think the height is right
Regards Mick

[squizzy]

yes I think it might be Mick.

not sure how much experience you have had with these but I find you cant let the branches elongate too long.

Cheers

Squizz

[Brad75]

Hi Squizzy,

I didn't know banksia could become a bonsai. Curious.

Good luck with your tree.

Cheers,

Brad75.

[Bretts]

Hey Squizzy'
I like the elegant style of your tree. In nature they can be quite sparse so this style could be used well to show that.
It seems to me that the branches of yours could use a little tweaking. While keeping the twisted feel of a banksia I think it also needs to find a bit more grace.
By any chance are you going to Bonsai by the harbour as this could make an excellent tree for the native experts there to critique. There will be an abundance of understanding of the Aussie native form and horticultural technique to get this just where it needs to go.

If not I would study the banksia form and also literati to find a balance for this tree.
Good luck

[emi93m]

yes I think it might be Mick.

not sure how much experience you have had with these but I find you cant let the branches elongate too long.

Cheers

Squizz

Mate to be honest this is my first and I did remove a lot of branches from this tree over summer witch now i feel was a bit of a mistake. You are right they do seem to get leggy if left to long but i think it might be a necessity to achieve thicker branching that once shaped and are the desired thicknes can be cut back hard to promote budding from the desired places. This is my only native and to be honest I have enjoyed working on it the past season......you know what " you learn a lot more from mistakes than you do success" ! Just my

[craigw60]

Hi Squizy, you would be amazed how quickly your banksia would thicken up by being put into a larger pot and fed regularly over the growing season you will also find with this treatment the bark will begin to crack. Banksia integrifolia respond really well to being defoliated and that could help you develop more defined branch structure and bring the leaf size down a bit.
Craigw

[squizzy]

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback.

I would love to get too bonsai by the harbour but I am always fairly time poor and find it hard to organise anything in advance given I run my own business. Thanks for thinking of me Brett.

These branches have been bumped and knocked around a bit whilst moving other trees around so take no notice of the secondary branch placement. I do intend to pot this up next spring into a trainer pot. I have been taking plenty of trees out of bonsai pots and putting them back into trainers over the last year or so. See I am learning from this site.

Ok I think the literati thing sounds good but I guess I imagined it to be halfway between literati and informal upright. I am not sure where the defining line is between these two styles.

I will post a sketch of what I think soon for critique.

Cheers

Squizz

[squizzy]

Ok,

I think something like this with a new fron selected to show the kick in the trunk line.

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Cheers

Squizz

[Bretts]

Nice sketch Squizz,
I reckon banksia don't really reach for the sky in the apex of aged trees. They tend to get twisted by the coastal winds. So for banksia I would consider flatening out the apex branch.

You can still turn up on the day for Bonsai by the harbour it only cost $10 extra for the two days that way or you can just pay for the one day. If you find the time I am sure you will enjoy it

[kcpoole]

Hey Squizz
I have one of these also from Ray
Mine was taller and skinny orginally, But I lyered the top off and now have 2

If you can make ofer to BBH then wil be good to catch up again . Maybe might take mine for Critique

Ken

[squizzy]

hi Ken

just looking at the program for bbh.I might try and make it there sunday mid morning. I will have to bring my little helper again so its probably not practical to bring the tree. It will be up to her as to how long we stay.

Might see you there

Squizz.

[squizzy]

Just recently after a complete defoliation and heavy prune this tree put out some nice healthy growth so I thought I better put a stop to that. Hope I can get some ramification this summer for this tall tree. any thoughts on where I might reduce the height of this tree or if it is necessary?

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Cheers

Squizz

[Boics]

Nice tree and good to see some different specimens on display.
If you were to reduce I would assume that the point I've marked in red might be the most clear option?

How tall is this tree anyway?

[squizzy]

Thanks for the reply boics,

The tree stand at about 700mm from the rim of the pot. I wasnt thinking of reducing it that far but that may be an option which would also allow me to grow a new top section that keeps more in the style of the bottom section.

Thanks for the input.

Squizz