Grape

[banksia]

I got this Grape at a nursery clearance last year for a ridiculously cheap price....$5.00 There were some absolute bargains to be had, but unfortunately I didn't have the funds on me at the time, otherwise I think I would've gone silly. All matter of material on offer that day...Olives, Eucs, Melaleucas, Grapes, Mulberries, the list goes on.
Anyway. I know nothing at all about this species, except that you prune in Winter..or in this ones case early Winter as it's been dormant for about a month now.
Anyone out there dealt with these before?. I'd like to know of feeding regimes and especially pest control. This one had a gall or pest of some sort that caused the leaves to form a blister-like growth that looked very unsightly.
Also I'd like a few suggestions on pot suitability. It seems to be very thirsty, so I tend to think a deepish pot would be the go. I'm not sure of what lurks under the soil, so I don't know if it will see a pot for a few seasons yet (might need a couple of gradual reductions over a period of time).
I think the trunks got abit of character to it. Just needs to be cleaned up abit.
So, anyone got any advice on grapes for bonsai culture?..there dosen't seem to be that much info out there.

Cheers!
Anthony

[Bretts]

Wow that is a ripper!
I have a Grape very similar Banksia. Mine has handled repotting with no problems. It is also fairly thirsty. I will link mine when I find it and we can learn together

[Jan]

Your find has great character and looks like it is certainly worth a try, banksia.

Great banksia and Bretts, keep us posted on how they go and what they like.

I took a cutting from an old grapevine growing on the chimney of a derelict country cottage. I grew it for many years on the chookhouse fence (I'd thought it might give good shade but the location was too extreeme - shallow ground over a rocky base). The plant has died back and recovered several times and has a major natural shari. It has really picked up after the February rain in our area, putting out new growth so I've been considering digging it up and making a literati out of it (that is it's natural style now) and striking some of the new growth to keep the heritage variety alive in a more suitable location.

It has smaller leaves than my Muscatels on the vegie garden fence (could be the growing conditions) but I was wondering if the leaves could be reduced enough to make it a convincing bonsai. I had plans to dig it towards the end of this winter and am interested in any info anybody has about them,

Jan

[banksia]

Thanks Bretts and Jan!, would be interested in seeing yours.
As far as leaf reduction is concerned, I've read that they do reduce O.K however the pentiole stays on well after the new growth has developed (unlike others that you defoliate and it simply drops off). Couldn't you simply trim it off down low so it's not so evident?
Any ideas on pot selection?. I was thinking round and unglazed...maybe a deepish drum?
P.S Any clues on the pest?

Cheers!
Anthony

[Pup]

If you grow roses near them you should not have any trouble with the aphids, now is the time for Lime sulphur treatment for black spot. As per munfacturers recomendations.

The late John Y Naka had a very nice one.

Banksia, there has been another clearance from the site, where every thing was $ 5-00.

Cheers Pup

[banksia]

"Banksia, there has been another clearance from the site, where every thing was $ 5-00."
Thanks for that Pup Could've done with some advanced stuff for the garden of the new house. When was this?... and is anything still available.
I felt real sorry for Gilbert that day...as I understand he put alot of effort into that project...a real shame.
Thanks for the advice and I hope You, Sue and Pup jr. are doing well.
P.S Is blackspot what I experienced?. The blister started with a black spot and developed gradually into a larger, rusty coloured blemish.

Cheers!
Anthony

[Bretts]

Here Banksia
viewtopic.php?f=132&t=3289&p=54389&hilit=grape#p54389

[Jester]

WOW!! That is magnificent!!! I love it you lucky devil. I am so jealous!!! Pls keep us posted on it's progress.

[Jamie]

very nice banksia! great trunk and movement!

i got no idea with grapes unfortunately but i would beleive the leaf size would call for the tree to be shown in a defoliated instance. if you can develop a very fine, dense amount of twiggery like the taiwanese i reckon it would look great!

jamie

[Dumper]

nice banksia.

it sort of look like a seahorse.
nice trunk