BANKSIA laevigata 20 seed

The Tennis Ball banksia or Golden Ball Banksia is a bushy shrub to 1-3.5 metres in height that produces round yellow flowers often in clusters in the Autumn months.
Foliage consists of long narrow leaves with sharp saw-toothed margins, new growth occurs in summer.
Prefers a well-drained sandy soil in an open sunny position. Drought and wind tolerant, suited to coastal conditions and soils.

Occurs naturally in the semi-arid regions of Coolgardie, Esperance Plains and Mallee in the Eremaean and South-West Provinces of Western Australia.

Conservation: Banksia laevigata subsp laevigata is currently classified as Priority Four - Rare: taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5–10 years. When recorded for the Banksia Atlas, many populations were noted to be small (less than 100 plants). (Source Association Of Societies For Growing Australian Plants)

Growing notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C

1. The growing medium should be well draining but should remain damp between watering.
2. Sow the seed 3-4 mm deep. Vermiculite is a good medium to use to cover the surface as it helps retain moisture and controls the temperature. 
3. Keep moist but not too wet as the seed may rot. Do not let the growing mix completely dry out. 
Germination should occur in 21-60 days depending on the temperature and conditions.

Pre-germination of seed by sowing into a closed container containing moist vermiculite or a similar material is also a useful method of germinating seeds, particularly for winter sowing when outdoor temperatures may be unsuitable. Germination usually occurs in 1-2 weeks using this method and when the root has reached about a centimetre or so in length, the seedling can be placed into a small pot of seed raising mix. (Source Australian Native Plants Society)

Pre-treatment of smoke: Not considered critical to germination of this species and germination will generally occur without it.
However many members of the Proteaceae family are responsive to pre-treatment of smoke. Although germination will often occur without smoke treatment it has proved to be beneficial in reducing the number of days to germination and increasing germination rates in many species of the Proteaceae family. 
Smoke treatments are simple and can be undertaken either by soaking the seed overnight or by applying to the surface after sowing, both provide good results. Smoke treatments available by clicking here.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.