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.

Note:
It may be difficult to cultivate in the eastern states of Australia, as it requires a hot dry summer and dislikes humidity andmay be difficult to obtain requiring a specialist nursery.


Botanic information
Leaf: The broad flat linear leathery textured leaves have an acute to obtuse apex and are up to 40 mm (1? in)wide. The deeply serrated margins are composed of triangular pungent pointed lobes and the pale green mid rib is prominent on both sides of the leaf.

Flower: The tubulate flowers have orange perianth segments that are up to 35 mm (1? in) long and pubescent on the outside and the protruding straight or curved pistil is up to 42 mm (1? in) long.

The flowers are arranged densely in a terminal cylindrical spike that is up to 150mm (6 in) long by 80mm (3? in) wide. They appear from late winter to spring and old flowers persist on the plant for several years.

Fruit: The numerous elliptical follicles are up to 11 mm (˝ in)wide and are covered in fine tomentose. They are arranged densely in a woody cluster opening after fire to release smooth obovate seeds to 20 mm (ľ in) long and have a curved notched wing to 9 mm (? 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 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.