Banksia problem - please see the pics?

Question

I live in Sydney, Australia.

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

Answer 1

what a neato plant!!.... look here.... at watering info...

http://www.austraflora.com/plants_html/designer/birthday_candles2.htm

I think yours may be too wet....but since I've never seen it before, I suggest you speak to someone in a nursery for sure about it.....

Answer 2

Not an expert, but do know some plants need to be cut back in order to let new growth it. This includes some of the new growth.

Do they need a lot of sun, partial sun, shade, partial shade?
If not plant in right spot they can do what your plant is doing.

Do you have instructions and discription left

Could be getting too much water or not enought or could be plant too close together.

You're from Australia and I'm from USA

Is this some kind of cactus plant.

Hope more people out there can help you more than I.

Answer 3

is it podocarpus? if it is, it needs lots of sun and water. just cutback the brown leaves and new shoots will come out soon.
did you apply fertilizer recently? if yes, it could be a case of overdose. water it thoroughly and put it under the shade for about a week. hope this helps

Answer 4

Inconsistant watering could be the culprit. didn't see any evidence of insects. Prune the brown parts.