BANKSIA INTEGRIFOLIA AS BONSAI

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

I decided to grow this in a much sparser style and so cut out a lot of wood and a lot of foliage.

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Doing fine in the new mix.

Grant

[Bretts]

I like ya thinking Grant
Looking great
But I still can't like that pot
Maybe it needs a pot that has it's widest point lower down to go with the very heavy look of the trunk?

[Steven]

G'day Grant,

Looks much gnarlier and older now.
I like the pot but think there could be a better one out there for your tree particularly with the new sparse foliage. I think it is a bit overpowering.

Regards,
Steven

[Matthew]

stunning grant !!!!!
i have both integrifolia and serrata in my grow beds for 18 months and the integrifolias are 10 feet high at present. Would you cut low now i have a new leaders there in mind on just about all and do scars roll over ok on bankias. The serratas are 7 feet and already 3 inches at the base for 18 months again can i cut low and rebuild i see the trunks tend to thinken in pots well so should continue in the ground no problems after cutting?

[NBPCA]

stunning grant !!!!!
i have both integrifolia and serrata in my grow beds for 18 months and the integrifolias are 10 feet high at present. Would you cut low now i have a new leaders there in mind on just about all and do scars roll over ok on bankias. The serratas are 7 feet and already 3 inches at the base for 18 months again can i cut low and rebuild i see the trunks tend to thinken in pots well so should continue in the ground no problems after cutting?

Hi Matt,

All Banksia from seed are very variable and some individual banksia will perform better or different.

Having said that; in general now would be a brilliant time to cut back. The new growth will explode and you can direct the growth to where you want. (Into an existing branch if you want or let the tree choose its strongest point. Cut leaving a bit of space between any new leader you wish to keep so it doesn't accidentally dry out.)

Banksia in the ground in good growing conditions tend to grow like a bean pole; ie. straight up with no taper; so cutting down low now will give you taper.

Banksia serrata will roll over and heal very quickly; as will the corky integrifolia. The species integrifolia will be much slower to heal over completely but will do it. Seal your cuts well as die back with banksia is always a concern.

They will continue to thicken in pots. Serrata the most followed by corky integrifolia followed by species integrifolia.

Hope that helps.

Grant

[Matthew]

cheers Grant will do this weekend

[Dario]

Hi Mathew, that is some good growing that you have acheived in a short period of time!
If at all possible, could you please take some pics when you cut back the banksia's that are ground growing?
I for one would like to see them and how you go about selecting the growth you wish to keep (ie new leaders etc).
Not trying to be a bother, but I would find it interesting process to see!
Cheers, Dario.

[craigw60]

Hi Matthew, if you are not intending to lift the banksia its a goos idea to cut around the root ball with a sharp spade just to keep them more compact.
Craigw

[Matthew]

good point Craig on the list to do

Dario see what i can do have to get in between the crab apples and maples but sure i can snap some.

[reddoggy]

Great post Grant, you sure know what you are talking about.
I have been told that banksia`s like a lot of water and that growing them in a shallow tray filled with water is good, is that true . I have killed a couple thru I think lack of water.

[Grant Bowie]

Great post Grant, you sure know what you are talking about.
I have been told that banksia`s like a lot of water and that growing them in a shallow tray filled with water is good, is that true . I have killed a couple thru I think lack of water.

The only major problem that banksia have is their susceptibility to root and and even trunk rot; so I would not advise to keep Banksia in water.

However on the other hand they are my water weed; they are often the first tree to dry out.

So if you are careful and vigilant you could grow in a shallow amount of water in summer; but I would prefer to be vigilant and keep the tree trimmed to shape to reduce the amount of foliage in summer. You could cut out all the old leaves to reduce the canopy as well to avoid the need to grow in water.

Your call for you location and work/life routine.

Grant

[Jan]

Seal your cuts well as die back with banksia is always a concern.

Thinking of doing a bit of a trim back on a banksia; what do you use to seal the cuts, Grant?

Jan.

[Dario]

Thanks Mathew, I look forward to a couple of pics!
Hey Grant it looks really nice trimmed back like that
Cheers, Dario.

[Grant Bowie]

Seal your cuts well as die back with banksia is always a concern.

Thinking of doing a bit of a trim back on a banksia; what do you use to seal the cuts, Grant?

Jan.

I use the sealant in the green metal tube; Kiyonal, which you can get from any bonsai dealer.

If the cut is particularly big or deep I then go over it, once the sealant has dried, with the putty also from the bonsai nurseries.

Grant

[Matthew]

Dario

Just waiting for some sealent to arrive from Leigh b4 i cut on Grants advise. Ill take pics on the weekend if it arrives and post uunder a new thread not to interfere with Grants