Re: Wisteria pruning - constricting ? vine
Toni Hawryluk wrote:
> >long it will be before I need worry about the vines constricting and
> >damaging the pine at lower levels? Am I going to regret using a live
> >tree for a support?
> >Paul Harrar
> >Nevada City, California
>
> If you were to put "hold-offs" between the trunk and the vine
> up to the point where you are going to have the vines lead away
> from the trunk, they will allow the tree trunk to expand (the vine
> doesn't constrict - unless it's malignant !) for quite a few years,
> ..... I think .....
If it were me, I would not grow it into a tree. Wist(a)rias (I know Tim,
but everyone pronounces it "Wis-tee-ria, so we've just fallen into
writing it that way!) have a sneaky way of sending those tendrils up
where you don't see them until it's too late.
If you are still determined, I'd recommend you +not+ let it "encircle"
the tree trunk. Yes, they do constrict, and they'll do it within ten
years. I have seen heavy arbor posts crushed within the grip of the
wisteria trunk. The young growth will want to twine, but you just direct
it straight up, or at the most only +half way+ around the support.
Paul, I think the reason your vine has not bloomed it that it is still
in too much shade. You may have read that W. sinensis can take some
shade, but the truth is it will not bloom until it gets its head in the
sun. Also no fertilizer, rich mulching etc. Too happy a vine only grows,
grows, grows!
Please pay close attention to Trevor Nottle's good advice. To grow a
well behaved wisteria, you must pinch and prune all summer. I prune in
winter as well; all the laterals back to 2 or 3 buds. If you ever let it
get away from you, it will come right in your house and sit down to
dinner! :-))
Happy New Year to all of you. You're simply the best!
Jan
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Jan Smithen, gardening teacher
Los Angeles County Arboretum
jansmithen@earthlink.net
Sunset zone : 19
USDA zone : 10
Visit the Victorian Rose Garden website at :
http://victorian-rose.org/
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