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.

Botanic information
Leaf: The almost glabrous obovate to elliptical leathery texture leaves have undulating serrated margins with pungent tips and are up to 30 mm (1? in) wide. The apex is truncate to obtuse with a mucronate tip and the base is cuneate with a short petiole.

Flower: The tubulate flowers have cream to pink, turning red perianth segments that are up to 40 mm (1? in) long and shortly pubescent on the outside and the protruding straight pistil is up to 35 mm (1? in) long. The flowers are arranged densely in a cone-shaped spike that is up to 90mm (3˝ in) wide and appear over a long period, almost throughout the year. The spent flowers soon fall from planted.

Fruit: There are 1-3 ovoid curved follicles are up to 16 mm (?in)wide arranged in a cluster and open after 2-3 years. The elliptical smooth seeds are up to 12 mm (˝in) wide with a wing to 15 mm (? in) long by 10 mm (? in) wide. The flowers and fruits appear throughout the year and the woody follicles are normally retained on the plant until burnt.


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.