Wisteria

[Krone]

At my parents place, we have an big old wisteria that i'm planning to air layer couple of branches.
Any tip or advice regarding this species? It's really a beautiful tree and awesome bonsai IMO, so i am a bit confused why there is relatively small amount of data on internet regarding this plant.

 

[cishepard]

I don’t have a wisteria (yet) but here is the only informative article I could find, plus some collected photos from the web that I’m sorry to say, I did not save the credits for, other than the Marcia Mueller.

https://bonsaitonight.com/2019/08/23/cutback-and-leaf-pruning-on-chinese-wisteria/

 

[Shibui]

Wisteria are relatively easy to layer using normal layering technique and timing so put your layers on in spring.
Also quite hardy and easy to grow but may be more difficult to get flowers which means there are as many theories about wisteria care as there are growers. I'm sure if you use the B'nut search to look for wisteria you will find plenty of threads but that might just confuse the issue because they will all claim different care is best.

Go ahead with your wisteria layers while you find out more and then learn more while you grow them. They are a great bonsai for that week or 2 in spring when they flower well.

 

[Mayank]

At my parents place, we have an big old wisteria that i'm planning to air layer couple of branches.
Any tip or advice regarding this species? It's really a beautiful tree and awesome bonsai IMO, so i am a bit confused why there is relatively small amount of data on internet regarding this plant.

Well for one they don't all flower. Ours has been in the ground for 15 years and never flowered. I googled and tried various "hacks" over the years. I've just given up....

 

[Underdog]

Mine is young but very thirsty. Likes sitting flooded like a Bald Cypress in the heat of summer. Had it in the pond a lot last summer. The vines when allowed to climb something will thicken much faster than if you prune or wire to be freestanding. Mine is likely to young to flower yet. Might get a pond basket this year as it slowed last year in a smallish pot. Needs to be a larger tree for the blooms I hope to get eventually.
Just my experiences... fwiw

 

[Shibui]

Wisteria seedlings are notorious for slow maturing. Usually a min of 7 years to be old enough to flower. One of ,mine was 19 years old when it first flowered. Only grow seedlings if you have plenty of years to see it through.
Cuttings and layers are a different thing. The wood they are grown from is already mature so they can flower the following year if conditions are OK.
Getting the correct conditions for flowering is the challenge and is the reason why there are so many differing opinions on what to do with wisteria.
Underdog is spot on about the size and shape. You need to grow a framework that will show off those long, dangling flower racemes.

 

[rockm]

At my parents place, we have an big old wisteria that i'm planning to air layer couple of branches.
Any tip or advice regarding this species? It's really a beautiful tree and awesome bonsai IMO, so i am a bit confused why there is relatively small amount of data on internet regarding this plant.

There is a fair amount of info on wisteria bonsai-most of it discouraging ;-) Wisteria bonsai are mostly a pain. They grow like mad. Only look good for a week or two in bloom, they spend the rest of the summer pushing out long extension growth that has to be constantly watched and controlled. They also can refuse to bloom in a container. Old trunks are the only thing worth air layering, as they may flower more reliably IF you prune them correctly. Wisteria require extremely hard pruning to keep them in shape and to form flower buds.

Care guide for the Wisteria Bonsai tree - Bonsai Empire

The wisteria Bonsai is known for its stunning flowers (long, cascading racemes and are usually blue or purple). These grow in the spring once the tree is over about 12 years old. Leaf size can be reduced

www.bonsaiempire.com

Wisteria fans

For you all out there looking at wisteria and what to collect. If you live in an area where this species has become naturalized, this is the kind of trunk you can find that makes getting a wisteria worthwhile. I ran across this one a couple of years ago in a tangle of...

www.bonsainut.com

New wisteria

I am new to wisteria not bonsai. I am a bit confused over conflicting information i have found and looking for advice from someone who know the plant well. I am already growing a few starts and will soon be able to collect an established plants as well this spring. I am looking to add a...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[penumbra]

Also extremely easy to root from hardwood cuttings.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Key is be very selective about what section of trunk you air layer. It needs to have movement, bends and twists. Do not waste time with a straight boring segment of vine.

Underdog and RockM gave you good advice.