Propagation
Fresh seed should be sown in a well-drained media and the kept moist but not wet. Maintain a temperature of 18ş to 21ş C. (64ş to 75ş F) in an unheated glasshouse or open frame.

Germination occurs within 3-weeks to 3-months depending on the species, then prick-out and pot up. Careful not to over water seedlings, as they are prone to damping off and larger plants are difficult to transplant.

When removing seed from Banksia fruits it may be necessary to place the fruit in an oven for 60 minutes at a temperature of 120° C. to simulating the effect of a bushfire to opening the valves.

General pruning information
When pruning reduce only the new growth as cutting old wood is likely to cause dieback. Limbs may be removed back to the collar.


Botanic information
Leaf: The leaves are obovate to lanceolate with a cuneate base and may have some serrations along the margins towards the obtuse apex. The margins are recurved and the underside is silvery with a prominent mid rib and the petiole is short.

Flower: The small tubulate flowers are golden brown with the pistil up to 20mm (ľin) long and arranged in a terminal spike that is up to 130mm (5in) long and 40mm (1˝in) wide.Old flowers persist on the plant. The flowers appear from autumn to early winter and are bird pollinated.

Fruit: The woody narrow elliptical follicle is up to 6mm (Ľin) tall with semi elliptical valve. They are velvety at first becoming glabrous and arranged in the cylindrical fruit. The obovate seed to 18mm (ľin) long has a large papery win


Cultivation
Generally, Banksia species prefer a well drained, sandy soil that is tending acidic but many species from Western Australia grow on acidic top soils with an alkaline subsoil.

When the growing Western Australian species outside their native habitat technique of building a garden bed, of acidic soil above a layer of agricultural lime commonly produces better results particularly in raised garden beds or on slopes.

During establishment, keep the soil moist but not wet and do not use fertiliser that contains phosphorus.g to 12mm (˝in) wide.