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 27 to 41 days then prick out when large enough to handle 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 leathery textured long the linear leaves are up to 25 mm (1 in) wide with deep pungent triangular serrations along the margins. The apex is truncate and the petiole is short.

Flower: The small tubulate flowers have orange perianth segments that are up to 40 mm (1? in) long and are tomentose on the outside and accompanied with pale pink hairs. The protruding curved pistil is up to 42 mm (1? in) long.

The flowers are arranged densely in a terminal cylindrical spike that is up to 120mm (4ľin) long by 80mm (3? in) wide with prominent bracts at the base. They appear from late winter to spring and old flowers persist on the plant concealing follicles.

Fruit: There are up to 30-elliptical follicles that are up to 15 mm (?in)wide and are beaked, hirsute. They are arranged densely in a woody cluster opening after fire to release obovate triangular seeds that are up to 30 mm (1? in) long and have a curved notched wing to 18 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.