BANKSIA SERRATA

[anttal63]

It was purchased in April 2007 at a garden centre for around $25. It was ram rod straight strapped to a cane. approx 6 foot high in an 8' pot. i slipped it into a 12'' pot on an angle and gave it a racking with rebar and wedges. 8-10 months later i let it loose but it sprung back again. By this stage i chopped it and set up a new leader and sacrafices to build this trunk up. In Febuary 2008 this is what i had.

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[anttal63]

April - May i gave it another racking with rebar. Through the winter and stress of bending the trunk its foliage got tired and was in need of a good clean out. All the yellow must be cut out so as to allow air and light in. When green leaves are too big and shading other growth, cut them in half and continue this through the growing cycle. I have let the leader become a sacrafice and set up a new one again so that it winds back behind and around the sacrafice. keeping the top in check allows those lower sacrafices to prosper. I will not be repotting this year because i want the trunk bend to set.

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[Asus101]

Looks good, nice post up. I should post my little tube stock guys and get your help on future planning.

[anttal63]

Looks good, nice post up. I should post my little tube stock guys and get your help on future planning.

Thanks Ace. put 1 up and we will do it now if you like.

[anttal63]

just sitting here thinking about my post prompted me to add; setting your bends on younger growth is easy but once the wood hardens it becomes very springy.

[kcpoole]

I have tried to put bends in Banksia Integrifiolia, and aslo found they sring back on older wood. Young branches seem to take wire and bend OK

[anttal63]

I have tried to put bends in Banksia Integrifiolia, and aslo found they sring back on older wood. Young branches seem to take wire and bend OK

yes ken this is true. at the rate they grow and fatten its worth starting them young. they bud back no prob so you can use all barnches as sacrafice and replace as you need to. personally down here i like the integra's performance more so. rarely does it yellow its leaves.

[Hector Johnson]

Message Deleted

[anttal63]

actually this year its settled and goin great guns, i have since trunk chopped the top sacrafice and the low ones have really taken off!

[Leigh Taafe]

Antonio,

I love the totem tennis back drop. My 3 tear old got one for Christmas, we cant get him off it, he belts the thing like a pro! I am hoping he will look after me when he makes it big!!

Every backyard should have one!

Cheers,
Leigh.

[anttal63]

yes leigh it provides many hours of entertainment for the kids and tires and settles them out a little too.

[anttal63]

after a good clean out, cutiing large leaves in half and pruning back branches in the top 2/3 of the tree it is now ready to put some on over the next 2 months. those bottom sacrafices have really taken off now and that but is just gettn fatter.the bend has also set for sure this time. a little crack in the back of the bend that has now healed has seen to that. i will do a repot and its first root work this november.

[Deemon]

Hi Antonio,

Loving your Progressions, really nice work!!

Do you have any tips for me on whatcan be done and when with the serratas?

I'm just starting on one

Regards
Deemon

[anttal63]

deemon glad you're enjoying it; the dates of the work here will give a fairly good indication on timing. the optimum time in melbourne for working natives is nov - mar. you in sydney i would think sept - may, with your weather. if you start your own thread and post up a photo we can always give a little more to go on.

[Deemon]

Thanks Mate,

I should have thought about checking the dates

I will get around to posting something sooner or later.

Cheers.