Investigation of flowering in Banksia baxteri R. Br. and B. hookeriana Meissner for improving pruning practices

Abstract

Floral initiation and development in relation to time of flowering were investigated in Banksia baxteri and B. hookeriana with the aid of scanning electron microscopy. Floral initiation occurred in spring in B. baxteri and in early summer in B. hookeriana. Floral development was rapid in B. baxteri (3 months to reach anthesis in summer). In B. hookeriana, development took 5 months, with anthesis occurring in winter. Most B. hookeriana blooms were produced on 2-year-old shoots, while B. baxteri produced about half of its blooms on 2-year-old shoots and almost as many on 3-year-old shoots. In both species, shoots that flowered within 2 years were longer and thicker in their first year than other shoots. A critical minimum stem length was determined for the first year's growth, to be used as a criterion for determining which shoots to remove during pruning. Details are provided for the timing of pruning to achieve maximum bloom production in B. baxteri and B. hookeriana.