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hi guys please help
my Banksi isn’t doing very well looks like it’s getting worst 😕
my soil ph is 9 so I’ve added sulphur and iron chelates
whats next now ? Can I transplant it to a pot until it gets better please advise thanks
Hello @Gaffe
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your banksia.
Your Banksia is definitely struggling, and with a soil pH of 9, it’s likely experiencing severe nutrient lockout, particularly with iron and phosphorus uptake. Your approach of adding sulphur and iron chelates is a good start, but it will take time for the soil pH to lower. In the meantime, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as high pH soils often have poor water retention. Water deeply but not too frequently to prevent additional stress. Adding organic mulch, such as composted pine bark or peat moss can also help gradually lower the pH while improving soil health. Just be mindful that Banksias prefer free-draining soil, so avoid piling mulch too thickly around the base.
If you’re considering transplanting it to a pot, you can, but be extremely gentle with the roots, as Banksias do not handle root disturbance well. Choose a well-draining native potting mix, preferably one formulated for Banksias, and continue adding iron chelates as needed. A pot around 30cm wide should be enough for now. It’s also important to avoid using any phosphorus-rich fertilizers, as Banksias are highly sensitive to phosphorus. If you need to feed the plant, use a fertilizer specifically designed for Australian natives. Please keep in mind that moving the Banksia now will add to the stress it is currently experiencing now.
Keep an eye on how the plant responds over the next few weeks. If you start seeing new healthy growth, then the soil amendments are working, and it should begin to recover. However, if the decline continues, it might be worth reassessing the growing conditions, including checking for drainage issues. If the soil is holding too much water, you may need to aerate the area or slightly raise the plant on a mound of well-draining mix. Hopefully, with these adjustments, your Banksia will bounce back soon.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @Gaffe
It's good that you brought that up, I suggest having a look at this discussion - How to revive a banksia with dried leaves by @amichaelmedia. It discusses the possibility of a water table forming at the bottom of the roots of your plant. If the soil is currently damp, I suggest holding off on watering until the soil has fully dried out. In regards to the fertilizer, banksia is usually fertilized during spring.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
