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 happens 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.


Botanic information
Leaf: The lanceolate leaves are up to 100 mm (4 in) wide and have deep linear to narrow triangular acute lobes. The leaves are held erect on a reddish petiole and mid rib and the lobe undersides may be covered in whitish tomantose.

Flower: The tubulate flowers have straight pubescent perianth segments that are up to 33 mm (1Ľ in) long and a glabrous pistil to 38 mm (1˝ in)long. They are arranged in a cylindrical terminal, spike 260 mm (6Ľ in) tall by 80 mm (3? in) wide that appears at ground level during spring.

Fruit: There are up to 25 elliptical follicles arranged in a villous spike which is persistent of the plant. Thr follicles open after fire and release obovate seeds that are to 12 mm (˝ in) long by 17 mm (? in) wide and have a curved notched wing up to 25 mm (1 in) wide.


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.

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.