AusBonsai

This has been a trial of Banksia Seminuda I've been growing from nursery tubestock. I'm quite excited about this species. I've been trying bonsai techniques and it has been responding well so far. I think the potential for Banksia Seminuda as bonsai is very promising.

One of the largest of all Banksia's it grows as a tree up to 25m tall. It often grows tall and straight in sheltered forest and along rivers in the south west of Western Australia where I live, hence the common name River Banksia.

I missed the flexibility deadline with putting movement in the lower trunk as I was busy with other things so I need to work with the dead straight start. I've started putting movement and interest into the upper branching now and am currently progressively pruning back hard to get more growth closer in. I am planning to grow it larger than it currently is so it will be up-potted and grown strong again next.
April 2022
August 2022
June 2023
A big old tree that had died at the Banksia Farm Mount Barker WA taken May 2022

Juat did a rough cut back on this banksia after a good amount of free growth. It's in a large pot with the focus on growing trunk and primary branch size at this stage.

Early days still so lots of possibilities. Working on two different potential fronts right now. I like the idea of a slant to one side as it is sitting for this tree. I removed the lowest strong branch as I just couldn't see it working with what I have in mind down the track.
Before side 1
After side 1
Before side 2
After side 2

Interesting species.
If it’s predominantly found along creeks and river beds it might be more tolerant of over watering and less susceptible to root rot. But as a banksia I’d still err on the side of caution.

Good luck with it. That’s some long thin adult leaves though.