[orpy] Banksia Serrata

[orpy]

This Serrata was purchased from the big green shed around March 2015 for $16. There was some fattening and a little rolling-over on the trunk which caught my eye and was surprising for green shed material. I was planning on continuing to grow this on into a larger sized bonsai to better suit Serrata’s leaf size. It was repotted in spring into this orchid pot (it was fairly root-bound) and I chopped one of the two leaders. Apart from that it’s grown freely. The larger sized bonsai has been put on ice for at least 18mths and the shohin comp it is. Height is 63cm from pot rim to tip.

[orpy]

I decided to wait until the buds started to move on this Serrata before cutting back the other fairly straight leader today. I was thinking the extra foliage through winter might help it get going quicker as it warms up in Melbourne, but I'm learning and don't know if this is actually the case. I will likely go harder and completely remove the stub but I'll keep it for the time being.
I've cleaned up most shoots and the many buds getting ready to pop from the base, leaving a leader and a couple of branch options. I'll wire these in the next few days.

Before the buds were rubbed off



Buds moving on leader



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[orpy]

This Serrata is growing well. I'm constantly rubbing buds off to keep growth in the leader and branches. I'll leave the new leader to thicken a little more before chopping. I've chopped the first branch close to the leader and buds are starting to pop. The left thick stub will be left for the time being and same goes for a random shoot/branch which I'm leaving just to maintain some foliage mass while I start reducing branches I want to keep. It's a balancing act as I'm already struggling with long internode length....as well as the massive leaves.

[orpy]

The leader has been chopped, shoot tips pinched, roots reduced, repotted back into a smaller training pot, with an angle change. The shoots will get some light wiring.



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[Rory]

That is looking really good Orpy.

[melbrackstone]

Don't ya love the Banksia squatand folded trunk! I do like where this is going, and big ups to you for going shohin with it!

[orpy]

Thanks Rory and Mel. I've lightly cage wired the shoots and the tips have been pinched to encourage new buds for ramification and hopefully smaller resulting leaves . I've left longer leaves on the first right shoot to keep the energy up to it. It hasn't thrown leaf buds on this shoot yet - hopefully it will come spring. Buds on the trunk need to be rubbed off. Here's a photo of the front & back view. I'll stick with the front for now.


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[Boics]

You can actually cut to size leaves that are too long if you like?
I find these guys want to pork right up at the base but not so much higher?

[boom64]

Well done Orpy, great little gnarly tree in the making. Cheers John

[orpy]

Thanks John and for the idea Boics. I'll try my darnedest to get them smaller!


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[orpy]

I feel a little nervous about this Serrata. The trunk has split along the rolls and the leaves look a bit lacklustre (compared to another I have). I've searched the forum and found that the trunk can split for growth or when growing, but it's winter here and it's still hibernating. The lacklustre leaves could just be winter cold. Its been positioned in my sunniest north-facing position to maximise sun for a quick spring start. It has had some fert, so hoping it hasn't taken it badly. Fingers crossed it'll be ok. Here's a couple of photos of the cracks.


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