AusBonsai

A Banksia I’ve had for a long time (grew it from seedling). It’s been very badly looked after the last couple of years for a few reasons but I’m keen to change that.

I’m aware of a few probs with it but some constructive criticism would be nice as well as something to think about.

Looks like you have the structure of a very nice banksia bonsai there. Fortunately banksias love to bud on bare wood so it does not really matter how long and overgrown they get - just cut back and wait for the new buds to grow. yours already looks like it has many new buds to work with.

The only obvious thing I can see that I'd consider changing is the first branch that looks quite straight. Maybe cut back to one of the side branches to get a change of angle and line and let it grow out again?

Thanks Shibui, you’re definitely right, you forgot to mention that the first beach seems too fat! Two seasons of little attention with a banksia and BANG, that’s what you get.

It does stick straight out like you say, I seem to have that issue on a few trees, always the first branch?? Must be a bad habit I’ve gotten into with the first cut back?