B. spinulosa

[Laurie J]

Hi all,

I took this little guy to my club on Tuesday to get some direction. This is my first go at a native so I'm very interested to see what I can do with it.

Before:


After (excuse the cat):


I haven't done too much yet. I would love opinions on where to go from here.

Thanks!

Laurie

[Brad75]

Hi yo,

Leave the most bottom branch on for a sacrifice branch to thicken the trunk and develop the rest of the branches by region ( lower, middle, upper zone) into foliage pads. Don't put it into a bonsai pot just yet; maybe out in the open ground with plenty of mulch and fert to get it going.

Cheers,

Brad75.

[Gerard]

Spinulosa are one of the most difficult of the banksias.
Most banksias have a tendency to throw new branches in whorles with several branches from one junction. B. spinulosa likes to produce 6 to 8 branches at one junction every time causing the formation of thick ugly knuckles on trunks and branches. Twice a year I will thin mine to only two branches at each junction not allowing these knuckles to form.
I do not prune my banksias much in the winter months preferring to wait for the new seasons growth in late Oct and then giving a very hard prune some even get a complete defoliation. This results in lots of back budding buds in undesirable positions get rubbed off.

[Brad75]

Hi Gerard,

That is something I didn't know about banksias. Thanks for the information. Just one question though - how does this affect the ability of the plant to grow a sacrifice branch?

Cheers,

Brad75.

[Gerard]

Hi Gerard,

That is something I didn't know about banksias. Thanks for the information. Just one question though - how does this affect the ability of the plant to grow a sacrifice branch?

Cheers,

Brad75.

Sacrifice branches work the same as most other species, perhaps you do not need to keep them for as long and be aware of thickening especially if there is more than one branch in the same position.
Instead of sacrifice branches, for fast thickening I like to let the the leader (apex) grow freely for a whole year and then select a new leader. The banksias and figs are the fastest to thicken of all my trees.

[aaronwithana]

Extra points for the cats

[Brad75]

Hi Gerard,

Thanks for the information and your experience. I have a fig that will benefit from it. I might also see a banksia in my future.

Cheers,

Brad75.

[Laurie J]

Brilliant information, thank you so much!

Extra points for the cats

Thanks Aaronwithana! She's off to her new home as a breeding cat shortly, so she's getting in every photo possible so that I remember her

[Laurie J]

Spinulosa are one of the most difficult of the banksias.
Most banksias have a tendency to throw new branches in whorles with several branches from one junction. B. spinulosa likes to produce 6 to 8 branches at one junction every time causing the formation of thick ugly knuckles on trunks and branches.

Thanks Gerard, I did notice this with mine already, I thought it might be an issue. In your opinion, what are some of the good varieties to use? I really like the thought of having natives.

[Gerard]

My favorites,
b.marginata (silver banksia) has small leaves, lookout for 'mini marge' it is a great variety
b.integrifolia (coastal banksia) is the easiest
b.serrata (saw banksia) or (old man banksia) produces great gnarly trunks but I prefer the foliage on the first two options.
b.praemorsa looks to be a good option but mine are still in development stage.
b.ericafolia (heath banksia) has nice fine foliage but is difficult with budding on older wood.

If you plan to grow banksias and have flowers you may be disappointed. If you let the branches extend you will be more likely to get flowers but will lose shape and possibly regret having to rebuild a branch. Occasionally you may get a flower inside the canopy but it is difficult to manage.