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 dark green narrow sessile linear leaves have revolute margins and a pungent apex. They are arranged densely around the branchlets that a sparsely tomentose.

Flower: The small tubulate flowers have pale yellow perianth segments that are up to 19 mm (ľ in) long and pubescent on the outside and the protruding straight pistil that is up to 30 mm (1? in) long.

The flowers are arranged densely in a terminal ovoid spike that is up to 25mm (1 in) long by 50mm (2 in) wide. They appear on short lateral branches from late autumn to early winter and old flowers soon fall from the plant.

Fruit: The numerous plate-like follicles are up to 20 mm (ľin)wide and are covered in fine tomentose. They are arranged densely in a open woody cluster and open after fire to release smooth obovate seeds to 35 mm (1? in) long and have a undulating wing to 24 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 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.