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 linear leaves have an acute apex and revolute margins. They are arranged densely around the branchlets.

Flower: The small tubulate flowers have yellow to brown perianth segments that are up to 45 mm (1ľ in) long and pubescent on the outside and have a protruding pistil that is up to 62 mm (2? in) long and is curved at the tip.

The flowers are arranged densely in a terminal spherical to ovoid spike that is up to 100mm (4 in) long by 120mm (4ľ in) wide. They appear from summer to winter and old flowers persist on the plant.

Fruit: The numerous elliptical follicles are up to 10 mm (˝ in)wide and are smooth. They are arranged densely in a woody cluster opening after fire to release broad obovate seeds that are up to 30 mm (1? in) long by 4 mm wide (? in) and have a smooth wing to 28 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.