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Banksia problem - please see the pics

Posted by pennyw74 NSW (My Page) on
Wed, Dec 26, 07 at 1:36

I have a Banksia - Birthday Candles in my garden. It has been in for three months. For the first six weeks, it didn't do much but now it has been growing really well - heaps of new growth on it.

Just in the last few days, I have noticed some of the new growth has turned brown - please see my pics.

What could be causing this? I don't want to lose it.

Please help.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fbbdd3a0f0.jpg

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/18af6f17a1.jpg

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1196b7d039.jpg

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cced51f4a8.jpg

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/32e629b5b1.jpg

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/86d72ff9fc.jpg


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Banksia problem - please see the pics

  • Posted by mallee South Australia (My Page) on
    Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 7:38

There are three possible causes:
1. salt damage caused by water being too salty which could be at this time of the year depending on its source, or fertilizers
2. poor drainage
3. fertilizer containing too much phosphorus.

A possible solution is to deep water, flushing the salts from the root zone, allowing the soil to dry a little before the next watering. Deep watering less often is preferable to frequent light waterings. Hold off the fertilizing until autumn, only use one that is suitable for native plants with minimum phosphorus. If the drainage is an issue plan to dig the plant up and replant in a raised mound. Pick a cooler run of weather to do this.


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RE: Banksia problem - please see the pics

I have the same Banksia in Brisbane. Mine has only been in for 3 months and I have noticed a few brown branches but not enough to worry about.

1. Never fertilise! Ever
2. Mulch
3. It should be on its way to having its roots down and establishing itself and won't need watering unless we get drought. If you do water it make sure it is a deep water.

I have clay soil and have mounded mine as well


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RE: Banksia problem - please see the pics

I have some Banksia ashybii in large pots and I notice that the tips of new leaves browning off before they unfurl fully and hardened. It always seems to happen over summer when I neglect to water them occasionally. I reckon it is just drought stress.

As long as I remember to water them occasionally it does not seem to have any long term effects as new leaves soon replace them as more buds errupt.


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RE: Banksia problem - please see the pics

  • Posted by pos02 NSW Aust (My Page) on
    Fri, Feb 29, 08 at 0:31

If it's only a couple of branches, I wouldn't worry about it. So long as the rest of the plant look green and healthy, this browning off will only cause the plant to branch more, which will ultimately improve the look of the plant.


 
 

 

 


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