Growing Banksia

Preparing the soil

Well-drained soil and low fertility are the prime requirements of Banksia trees because they have excellent extracting capacity. They prefer deep sandy soils with moisture between 30 and 60 cms. Banksia grows best with their top roots in dry sand and lower roots in moisture. The sandy soil behaves like sponge holding back water.

Swamp Banksia

Exception to this rule is Swamp Banksia (Banksia robur), Littoralis, Occidentalis and Seminuda. These are quite different from most Banksia varieties because they love to be pampered with water. Excessive lime content in the soil turns the leaves yellow.

The preferred climate

Apart from few species, Banksia is a friendly plant for a home gardener. There are various types of plants growing in different parts of Australia requiring a common requirement of full sun throughout or most part of the day. Pruning is necessary for plants growing in confined areas otherwise they grow to a diameter of 2 meters in open sun.

Fertilizers to be used

Having the most efficient root system of all plants, Banksia can feed itself in the poorest of soils. It extracts almost 12 times more phosphorous than other plants. Thus, you should use fertilizers having phosphorous content of no more than 3%. Make sure to buy a fertilizer suitable to your dear plant.

Keep patience with Banksias

When planted in a greenhouse, Banksias can grow throughout the year. It takes two to five weeks for the seeds to germinate. Seeds of these plants can also be used after several years. It takes two to three years for the plants growing from seeds to flower and five to six years to attain its fully grown stature.

Banksia, as an attraction

Banksia is well-known for its nectar producing skill thus attracting nectar feeding insects like colourful butterflies, birds and honey-bees to your garden making your garden look all the more colourful. You can also awe your guests with a Banksia in your living room. Banksia is beautiful in every way and acts as ornaments and arrangements after drying out.

Growing Banksias in averse climates

Banksias are mostly found in Western Australia, which is characterized with cold wet winters and hot dry summers. However, if you want to grow Banksias in an environment a climate prevalent in warm dry winters and hot wet summers then you need to choose a variety which is suitable for such climatic conditions to save the disappointment.

Types of Banksias you can grow in places characterized by cold wet winters and hot dry summers are Hill Banksia (Banksia spinulosa), Hinchinbrook Banksia (Banksia plagiocarpa), Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia), Mountain Banksia (Banksia aquilonia), Giant Candles (Banksia ‘Giant Candles’), Cape York Banksia (Banksia dentata) and Swamp Banksia (Banksia robur).
 

Guest Book Comments page 1 of 1 Click here to add a comment Your Name: Image verification: Message:   Admin Posted 442 days ago Hi Marcus, yes, thanks for the update. Marcus Achatz Posted 442 days ago "It extracts almost 12 times more phosphorous than other plants. Thus, you should use fertilizers having phosphorous content of 3% at least." please change this to - No more than 3% phorpherous. At least 3% would suggest giving them more, and that will kill them. <1>