What is Wisteria Bonsai & Care GuideLearn all about Wisteria Bonsai Trees and how to take care of them.
|Scientific/Botanical Name||Wisteria sp.|
|Description||Wisteria trees have vine-like tendencies, but with thicker trunks. The trees grow vigorously, and the branches climb and curve, from which the blooms will hang when they appear in the spring. The blooms are fragrant and can be colored blue, lavender or white. Leaves are small and green.|
|Position||The tree performs well in full-sun or part-sun. It does need to be protected from strong winds when grown outdoors, however.|
|Watering||The wisteria tree needs a great amount of water when it is growing, especially just prior to and during its blooming cycle. Ideally, the pot should be set in a tray of water, allowing the tree to take in all the water that it needs via its roots. When the top of the soil is wet, the tray should be removed.|
|Feeding||Wisterias are heavy feeders. Nevertheless, the tree should be fed with a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen because wisteria fixes its own nitrogen from the atmosphere, and an excess of the nutrient will promote foliar growth at the expense of flowers. Use a fertilizer that is made specifically for wisterias, and follow the feeding guidelines.|
|Leaf and Branch Pruning||As a minimum, the Wisteria should receive an annual pruning in the fall. Hard pruning should only be carried out when no blooms are on the tree. Cut away all the shoots that will not be needed as branches. The object of pruning is generally to create or maintain a weeping or cascading habit, which is ideal for displaying the flowers when they are in bloom. For more abundant blooms, remove the seed pods as soon as they appear so that growth will be diverted to the flowers, and not to the development of seeds.|
|Re-potting & Growing Medium||Re-pot young trees once a year, either in the early part of spring or in the fall. The roots should be teased out and pruned severely. More mature trees should be re-potted every two years. Wisterias perform best when planted in wide, deep pots, and the use of fresh soil each time re-potting occurs will minimize the risk or spread of disease.|
|Wiring||Wiring to create the desired shape and style should not be undertaken until blooming has been completed.|
|Notes||Wisterias trees will not bloom until they are at least 10-years-old. The wisteria seed pods and seed are highly toxic if ingested: Exercise care around children and pets.|
Gardeners who enjoy flowering trees can appreciate growing Wisteria bonsai. This miniature tree is a smaller version of the flowering shrub found in many countries of the world such as China, Japan, and the United States. It does require a great deal of care and patience in order to produce its fragrant blossoms, so people who choose this plant should be aware of its needs beforehand.
Lovely, dramatic and a delight to growers and admirers, these are words that best describe a Wisteria tree. This tree has a vine-like characteristic which grows vigorously during its growing season. Its branches grow fast with a curved appearance. At the ends of these curved branches is where soft and fragrant veils of flowers will grow.
The Wisteria bonsai is exactly the counterpart of the Wisteria tree, however; this is a delicate miniature version that grows stately in a bonsai pot. Expert bonsai growing can make Wisteria bonsai trees look surreal. The blooms appear early in spring and can be color blue, lavender or white depending on the species.
You will find growing Wisteria bonsai very rewarding. This will grow rapidly but won’t have flowers until about ten years old. But nevertheless, Wisterias are lovely and are a sight to behold. The following tips can help you cultivate Wisteria bonsai trees. Learning all about refining Wisteria trees and applying basic bonsai growing principles will help you grow a healthy, strong and beautiful Wisteria tree for everyone to admire.
Here are some interesting facts to know about Wisteria bonsai:
1. It takes at least ten years before the plant will produce blooms. Until that time, this tiny tree will have glossy green leaves but will not flower.
2. The tree will grow rather quickly and requires repotting every two to three years.
3. Wisteria bonsai should be pruned at least once a year, preferably in the fall.
Trunk & Branches
The Wisteria bonsai tree has woody branches, which grow in a somewhat curved pattern. The trunk is also curved and may have between one to three different sections. The branches and trunk are both covered with a medium to dark brown bark that is generally smooth to the touch.
The leaves of a Wisteria bonsai tree are medium to dark green in color. These leaves are oval-shaped, yet slightly pointed on the ends. They appear on either side of long strands, with a single leaf being attached to the tip of the strand. The leaves have a light gloss to them, and the veins are only slightly noticeable.
Most of the time, the flowers on a Wisteria bonsai tree are lavender in color. Even so, they may occasionally be blue, white, or a combination of different colors. The blooms generally appear to be drooping and actually consist of several tiny petals that are very close together. They usually bloom in late spring or early summer if kept in outdoor containers, but can bloom any time of the year if grown indoors. The blossoms have a moderate floral fragrance, which also attracts birds and butterflies if the plant is left outdoors.
A Wisteria bonsai usually grows between one to two feet tall in most instances. It may grow larger than this if left unchecked, which is why pruning the plant is extremely important. This specimen can reach a circumference of around 18 inches. The leaf strands generally reach a length of around 14 inches, while each individual leaf on the strand is approximately 2 inches long. The blooms can grow anywhere from 12 to 14 inches long.
Along with the flowers, a Wisteria bonsai tree also produced pods. These pods are long, flat, and narrow and somewhat resemble pea pods. Inside them are tiny seeds that look much as beans do. These seeds can be transplanted in order to grow another Wisteria bonsai tree. Since both the seeds and the pods themselves are poisonous, the plant should be kept away from children and animals.
What will you need to follow this tutorial?
A Wisteria tree
- Many Wisteria tree bonsai growers use a young tree. You can purchase Wisteria trees from online retailers and from garden sites. You will be able to find trees from a local nursery as well. But remember that a Wisteria tree is just one way to grow this bonsai tree. Make sure to purchase only from reputable and reliable retailers whether online or from local gardens.
- There are available Wisteria seeds that may be purchased from local stores and nurseries. But be very careful because Wisteria seeds, as well as other parts of the tree, are poisonous. You must be careful to avoid placing your Wisteria bonsai tree in an area where the pods and seeds will not be accidentally ingested by humans and animals.
- There are traditional Japanese pots available from garden stores. You will be able to purchase these from local nurseries as well. Most growers follow true Japanese tradition which is to use jade pots. But other than this kind of pot, you may also use other containers to grow bonsai as long as these have adequate drainage.
- Wisteria trees require special fertilizer that is formulated for Wisteria plants. This type of fertilizer contains fewer amounts of nitrogen. Wisteria plants get nitrogen from the atmosphere and using a fertilizer with high amounts of nitrogen can lead to toxicity. Follow the feeding directions on the product label very well.
A pair of sharp scissors
- Wisteria plants and trees need to be pruned at least once a year during the fall. And with any pruning job, you need a sharp pair of scissors. You must only use this pair for pruning; be sure to clean these really well.
- Wisteria plants may be wired to achieve a specific kind of style. Wires are used to shape bonsai trees and you need a good pair of pliers to bend and cut wires.
Wire for wiring
- Wires help control Wisteria tree branches and will let you achieve a variety of styles.
- There are two types of wires commonly used by Wisteria growers: anodized aluminum and annealed copper wires. Anodized aluminum is for young bonsais that have soft trunks. Annealed copper wires are for bonsais with thicker and stronger trunks.
- You must have clean water to water your Wisteria bonsai trees. Wisteria plants and trees need a lot of water as it grows. Whether you use rainwater or tap water it’s best to check the quality of your water supply first before you on your plants. Water should have a balanced pH to allow plant roots to absorb minerals in the soil very well.
- Adding aggregates to the potting soil will boost soil drainage and aeration. Excess fertilizer and water should be drained from the soil to avoid root rot, molds and nutrient toxicity. The most common aggregates that you can use are Akadama, sand with coarse grains, decomposed granite, pumic, turface or diatomite.
Bonsai growing soil
- The type of bonsai growing soil will use will depend on the kind of tree that you want to grow. The best soil for Wisteria is a sandy clay soil. This kind of soil will hold water and nutrients and will let excess water and nutrients drain from the roots.
Step by step instructions
1) Understand fast facts about Wisteria bonsai trees
To be able to care for a Wisteria tree, you must understand its many attributes. For one, it is a vine-like tree that grows fast. In the wild, this tree can grow rapidly and produce flowers and eventually pods in no time. But when grown as a bonsai, this tree will take time to grow flowers and pods. It will take about a decade for flowers to grow. But as every Wisteria bonsai gardener would say, it is worth the wait. Give your Wisteria bonsai trees a lot of love and care and it won’t be too long for its delicate flowers to show.
- Wisteria has a vine-like appearance and behavior but has a thicker trunk
- Wisteria trees grow fast.
- Wisteria branches tend to climb and curve out.
- Fragrant wisteria flowers will hang from the branches
- Flowers are colored blue, lavender or white.
- Wisteria leaves are small and green, perfect for making miniature trees
- Wisteria trees prefer the full sun but can also grow in part sun
- This does not require any protection from strong winds despite its delicate appearance.
- You can grow Wisteria trees indoors or outdoors.
- Wisteria trees may be taken out to the garden to get a lot of sun and then moved to a shady distance.
- Wisteria trees need a lot of water during its growing stage.
- Wisteria needs a lot of water before and during its blooming stage
- Let Wisteria trees take in all the water it needs from the roots
- You may place the pot on top of a tray of water to deliver more water to the tree
- Wisterias have a voracious appetite and will take in a lot of fertilizer if it can.
- Use only fertilizer developed for Wisteria trees which is fertilizer with fewer amounts of nitrogen.
- Excess nitrogen will promote foliar growth and fewer flowers, therefore, a product with less nitrogen is the best.
- Always follow feeding guidelines when giving nutrients to Wisteria trees.
Leaf and Branch Pruning
- Annual pruning is needed and is done in the fall.
- Hard pruning is done when there are no flowers present in the tree.
- Remove shoots and growths that will not be needed as branches
- Pruning is needed to maintain a weeping or cascading style
- Pruning helps display flowers when these are in bloom
- For more flowers, remove pods as soon as you see them. Doing so will prevent the development of seeds.
Re-potting & Growing Medium
- Re-pot young trees at least once a year. Do this in spring or in the fall.
- Roots should be teased out and pruned continuously.
- Mature trees will need to be repotted at least every two years.
- Wisteria bonsai trees prefer wide, deep pots
- Use fresh soil each time you re-pot. This will reduce the spread of disease and will ensure fresh nutrients are found in soil.
Wiring a Wisteria bonsai
- Wiring is used in Wisteria bonsai trees to move the branches to the desired design.
- Wiring should be done when blooming has been completed.
- Remove the wires as soon as this is due to prevent injury on the delicate Wisteria bonsai trunk and branches
Wisteria trees will not bloom until these are at least 10 years old. You must be patient and do all you can to take care of your bonsai so it will be ready to bear lovely flowers in time. Always remember that Wisteria seeds and parts are highly toxic to humans and children. Do not ingest this and do not grow seeds where these may be accidentally ingested by pets and children.
2) Distinguishing Wisteria Bonsai Trees from other bonsais
It is very easy to distinguish Wisteria bonsai trees from other bonsais because of its veil of colorful and dramatic flowers. Wisterias are lovelier and livelier compared to other bonsai trees. Although not as stately as other trees, it is very attractive. It is mostly used in dramatic presentations, in hotels, malls, and fine dining areas and in classy homes.
Anyone who enjoys flowering trees will love the growing Wisteria bonsai tree. This tree is native to China, Japan, and the United States. This does not require a lot of care and maintenance to produce blooms but as mentioned, it will take up to a decade to finally grow flowers.
When the Wisteria is in its non-flowering stage it has small glossy green leaves. It will grow quickly and may even overgrow its pot so it needs to be re-potted at least once every two to three years.
The trunk has woody branches that grow in a curved manner. Usually, there are three different sections in a tree. The braches and the trunk are covered with medium to dark brown bark which is smooth to the touch. The leaves of this bonsai tree have medium to dark green color. The leaves are oval-shaped and are slightly pointed on the ends. The leaves have a side of long strands; a single leaf is attached to the tip of the strand. The leaves have a light gloss with veins that are slightly noticeable.
Lavender is the most dominant color in Wisteria flowers. There are also blue white or a combination of colors but lavender is the most dominant. The flowers are known to droop and inside these delicate things are tiny petals that are very close together. Wisteria flowers bloom in late spring or early summer time when grown outdoors. When grown indoors, this can bloom any time of the year. You will find Wisteria flowers fragrant but not the scent that will overwhelm you. This scent attracts birds and butterflies when the plant is left outdoors.
As the Wisteria bonsai tree grows flowers, it won’t be long when pods appear. These pods resemble pea pods and are long, narrow and flat. Inside the pods are bean-like seeds. These seeds may be germinated to grow another tree. Remember that the pod and seeds are highly poisonous so your bonsai should be kept away from children and pets.
Wisteria bonsai grows between one to two feet tall. Some Wisterias can grow taller when left alone to grow. The plant can occupy a circumference of around 18 inches. The flowers can droop and grow from 12 to 14 inches long.
3) Purchasing a Wisteria Tree
When purchasing a Wisteria tree rely only on reputable growers or retailers. You will find a number of bonsai tree dealers online where you can purchase a healthy Wisteria tree. You will also be able to find healthy Wisteria trees ready for refining from a local garden or retailer near you. And even if you purchase online or offline, be smart when choosing a healthy tree.
If you are looking for low-priced bonsais a large garden center is where you must go. You will also find a variety of bonsai plants and accessories from a large garden shop. If you are looking for top quality bonsai trees you will find what you need from specialized shops or dedicated online sites that sell only bonsai plants.
4) Growing Wisteria Trees from Seeds and Cuttings
You have the option to choose from growing Wisteria from seeds or from cuttings. Both will give you a chance to groom your bonsai at an early stage which benefits any kind of bonsai tree. When grown from seeds, it could take years before you can finally have a full-grown bonsai tree that is ready for training. But there is no doubt that the tree will be stronger and healthier when you keep track of its needs every day. Meanwhile, growing from cuttings could be a bit quicker than starting from seeds but you must allow your cutting to develop a good root system before it can be transplanted. Whichever technique you choose, you will have lovely Wisteria bonsai trees to care for years to come.
Growing trees from seeds facts:
There are no special Wisteria bonsai tree seeds. Wisteria bonsai trees are from regular seeds from regular trees. When refining and pruning techniques are done, you will be able to transform a regular tree into a bonsai. If you have a Wisteria tree in your backyard then you can harvest seeds to grow a Wisteria tree.
There are a lot of advantages when growing Wisteria bonsai trees from seeds that you readily have around. You can save a lot of money and you don’t have to spend time and effort to look for seeds. It is an advantage as well if you will be using seeds that came from your own yard because you already understand its special needs, the mature size and appearance of the tree and information about how to grow and cultivate it.
Growing Wisteria bonsai from seeds
Germinating your Wisteria seeds is the first thing you need to do. Wisteria will grow well in almost all environments but it loves moist soil especially during its growing stage. Germinating seeds will help you find out if you the best seeds to use for growing your trees. To start, open the pods and harvest the seeds.
Place your seeds in a glass or transparent container of water. Seeds that will float are sterile or non-viable and will not germinate. Seeds that sink are fertile because these have viable contents. Now that you know which seeds are fertile, you may now germinate your seeds and eventually grow them.
- Choose a large pot to germinate your seeds. You may use a large but shallow pot where you can germinate up to 4 seeds.
- Fill your pot with peat seed sowing mix.
- Place the Wisteria seeds on the surface of the mix. Just let this be and do not cover because germinating seeds need light.
- Water the soil to completely moisten it. Check that water should run off the sides of the container.
- Place your seeds outdoors in full sunlight.
- Keep the soil moist because Wisteria trees love moist soils. Check your germinating seeds frequently and avoid making your soil dry. This seed will germinate for about 15 to 90 days.
- By the time the Wisteriaseedling has emerged from the seed, you may now transplant these seedlings in individual containers.
- A small and shallow bonsai pot is the best for your seedlings. The ideal planter pot has at least two holes located along the sides or at the bottom of the pot.
- Apply a layer of coarse substrate or aggregate. This layer will remove excess water and fertilizer from the plant roots. This layer will also improve aeration of the soil to allow oxygen to be absorbed in the plant roots.
- Now add a layer of bonsai potting soil on top of the substrate/aggregate. Bonsai soil is available from any garden center or bonsai accessories store online or offline.
- Place the seedling on the soil. Leave space between seeds so that root systems will be able to grow well. This should be about an inch of soil in between plants. Compact the soil with your fingers by pressing the top of the soil lightly.
- Water your young plants; keep the soil slightly moist. Water your plants at least once a day. Never let the soil dry out.
Growing Wisteria from cuttings
Growing Wisteria using cuttings is done by cutting a part of a Wisteria tree and using the cutting to grow another tree. Here is a step by step process on how to harvest cuttings from Wisteria trees.
- Take cuttings from a healthy Wisteria tree. This should be a healthy stem that has no problems. The tree must not be affected by any condition such as molds, insects or discoloration.
- With a sharp knife or cutter harvest the cutting from the tree. Create a diagonal cut.
- Place the cutting in water as soon as possible to avoid air pockets from entering the stems.
- Let the cuttings stay in water till these develop roots. When the roots have thickened, the cuttings are now ready to be planted.
- Water the cuttings every day. Keep the soil moist especially when the days are warm.
- You may need to wait for three years before you start pruning your trees. This time the tree is healthier, stronger and harder. It would be hard to wire hard and old trees because this will only lead to irreparable injuries.
5) Caring for a Wisteria Bonsai
Wisteria trees can grow in different types of light however it prefers full sunlight. Do not place the tree in direct sunlight; it should have filtered sunlight during most of the day. Wisteria trees are usually resistant to strong winds but still shield the tree during strong winds especially when it has developed flowers.
This bonsai tree needs constantly moist soil, however; placing it in standing water could result in root rot. Daily watering is needed to soak the soil and to provide constant moisture. Fertilizing Wisteria bonsai trees should be done from time to time using a special fertilizer that is made just for Wisteria plants. You must never neglect to water and prune your Wisteria plants.
General Care For Wisteria Bonsai
This tree can grow in different types of light, but it prefers full sunlight. If placing the tree in direct sunlight is not possible, then it should at least have filtered sunlight for most of the day. Outdoor trees must be protected from the wind because they can be knocked over whenever high winds prevail. This is not normally a concern when the plant is grown indoors.
Wisteria bonsai needs constantly moist soil, but standing water could result in root rot. Daily watering is recommended to soak the soil and maintain constant moisture. A watering tray can also be used provided the roots are not given more water than they are able to absorb naturally.
A healthy Wisteria bonsai plant needs to be fertilized from time to time. The best fertilizer to use is one that is low in nitrogen. This is because the tree can naturally absorb nitrogen from the air surrounding it. Adding a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen can sometimes prevent the tree from blooming. Fertilizing should take place from late summer through the end of fall and does not need to happen while the specimen is still blooming.
The tree should be pruned with a set of hand-pruning shears after the blooms drop off. This is done by making a cut in each shoot approximately six inches from the trunk. Ideally, there will be a few leaves left on each shoot after this is accomplished. Gardeners can also use pruning shears to help them modify the bush into a more pleasing shape. Wisteria bonsai may need more than one pruning session, but over-pruning is not recommended. Each instance should be done two to four weeks apart if possible, with the last one occurring in mid-winter just before buds appear.
6) Soil and repotting a Wisteria Bonsai
One of the best characteristics of Wisteria bonsai trees is that these can grow and flourish in the regular potting soil. But still, the best kind of soil is sandy loam soil which will improve water and nutrient absorption. This type of soil will also be able to drain excess water to prevent mold development and to drain excess fertilizer to prevent nutrient toxicity. Aggregates should be added to the bonsai soil to improve aeration as well as drainage. There are a variety of materials to choose from Akadama, sand with coarse grains, decomposed granite, pumice, turface or diatomite.
The Wisteria tree will grow and thrive when pruned annually. This should be done during the fall. Hard pruning may be done when there are no flowers on the tree. When pruning, you need to remove the shoots that will not be needed to create the style you want. Re-potting young trees are done at least once a year and this should be done in the early part of spring or in the fall. Pots with adequate drainage should be used to minimize root rot.
It is important to choose the right container for a Wisteria bonsai tree. The ideal one will be wide enough to allow the plant’s roots to be fully extended with some room remaining all the way around. The container does not have to be exceptionally deep, but should nonetheless be between 12 and 18 inches deep. There should be plenty of drainage holes in the bottom of the container.
The container used to transplant the Wisteria bonsai should be clean when doing so. If the pot has previously been used, it is a good idea to wash it thoroughly with soap and hot water in order to kill any bacteria that may be present. When using a new container, this is generally not necessary.
Good quality potting soil should be used for transplanting the Wisteria bonsai. One designated for flowering plants is ideal for this specimen, but regular potting soil may also be used. Fresh soil should be used at each transplanting in order to prevent the spread of disease to this tree.
Wisteria bonsai is a beautiful plant that can provide years of fragrant blooms with the proper care and attention. Growing this tree will add visual interest to any area of a home or garden whether indoors or out.
The type of pot for repotting Wisterias
There are a variety of pots that you can use to repot Wisteria bonsai but if you want to stick to true Japanese tradition use jade glazed pots. However, you may use other types of pots and containers. There is no specific color to use but if you must choose a color, use one that will highlight the blue, lavender and white flowers. Glazed pots for bonsai growing are readily from local garden supplies or from an online gardening site.
Things to consider when choosing a bonsai pot
Wisterias need wide, deep pots which can hold a lot of water. But still, consider the drainage of your bonsai pots. Prepare adequate drainage for your Wisteria bonsai tree because, without adequate holes in your pot, your plant will end up getting root rot or mold. Keep in mind that for large and deep pots about four or more drainage holes should be present. These drainage holes could be found along the sides or underneath the pot. Drainage holes will improve water drainage and a lot more.
Drainage holes will prevent nutrient lock in the soil. The nutrient lock is simply the accumulation of nutrients in the soil that in turn makes the soil toxic to plants. This could happen to Wisteria trees and therefore this must be avoided.
Wisterias can suffer from Nitrogen toxicity which is mostly due to providing the tree more Nitrogen from fertilizers that have high Nitrogen content. Wisterias don’t need this kind of fertilizer because it gets Nitrogen from the atmosphere. When Wisterias receive a lot of Nitrogen, it will develop more leaves instead of creating more flowers.
Drainage holes will allow oxygen to move into the soil to be absorbed by the roots. Fresh oxygen will be readily available to plant roots to make it stronger and healthier. Drainage holes will improve root systems of Wisteria trees as well. Your trees need to develop a good root system and this is possible through using the right kind of soil like sandy-clay soil. Drainage holes allow good plant-friendly creatures to move into the pot and help in developing healthy and strongWisteria trees. Some of the most helpful garden creatures that can help your bonsai are earthworms and ladybugs.
7) Watering a Wisteria Bonsai
The Wisteria bonsai tree must be planted in a pot with good soil. This is soil that has good water drainage and nutrient retention. This bonsai tree should be watered daily and more frequently during warm weather or when it is grown outdoors.
Although Wisteria needs a lot of water, it may not be wise to overwater this tree to prevent root rot and mold growth. Water when the soil is dry and never when the soil is moist. Some growers also place water pans underneath pots to improve moisture in roots. This should only be done when the weather is too hot.
8) Pruning and shaping a Wisteria Bonsai
The Wisteria is a resilient tree that can resist consistent cutting, shaping, and pruning. Pruning is done by making a cut in each shoot. This is approximately six inches from the trunk. There will be a few leaves left in each shoot after you are done.
You may use pruning shears or gardening shears to create a more pleasing shape. You must prune at least once a day but over-pruning is not recommended. Prune two to four weeks apart if possible. The last pruning should be done in mid-winter which is before the flowers appear. During the growing season, the Wisteria will need extra care. During this season it has to be watered and pruned more often.
Wiring bonsai trees
A Wisteria can be styled to any kind using wiring. Styling may is started when the tree is still young. Wiring mature wood could only injure your tree. Wiring is harder to do because the wood is stiff causing severe damage to the trunk or branches. Moving dry, hard and stiff branches could be difficult. This can also lead to fractures within the tree which could lead to an ugly mark on the fracture site.
Wiring young Wisteria will help you achieve a variety of bonsai tree style or design. Remember that you must remove the wire as soon as you have achieved the style you want. As much as possible, the wire should be removed the same season it was attached.
Important wiring techniques
Wiring is a very popular strategy to shape a bonsai tree. You will be able to style and train bonsai trees safely, effectively and quickly by wiring. Wrapping wire around the young branches of a Wisteria bonsai tree, you will be able to reposition its branches to the shape or style you want. There are a number of styles that you can use to shape a Wisteria tree.
Shakan Bonsai Style
Possibly one of the most popular bonsai tree styles is the Shakan bonsai growing style. This is the ever popular slanted bonsai tree style and really looks like a miniature slanted tree. The trunk is carefully made to protrude from the soil in a slanted position while the rest of the tree straightens out to an outward position. The trunk is in a 60-80 degree angle. For that classic slanting and windswept style, the strong wiring is used which helps control the growth of the main trunk. Wiring may be used to control the height of each of the branch. Another way to create that windswept bending style is to apply strong sunlight or strong indoor lighting from one direction only.
The Dramatic Fukinagashi has a windswept head of hair during high winds or a storm. This style looks very exotic but this is actually more common than what you may think. In this style, the branches and the trunk will grow to one side to recreate the realistic effect of strong wind moving in one direction. Wiring and delicate pruning may be used to achieve this dramatic style.
Shari Bonsai Style
The Shari Bonsai Style is all about shaving the bark to keep new growth from appearing. This is also known as the stair effect because some branches may be long or short in this style. This is mostly achieved by wiring and pruning. The leaves found on the top of the tree create aesthetic balance. The Shari bonsai style is based on the natural development of natural plants. A bald or barkless area on the trunk usually natural present and this is usually due to harsh weather conditions.
Seki-joju or Rocky Terrain
The Seki-joju or Rocky Terrain style is growing bonsai around an obstacle. The obstacle could be anything in nature like a jagged or smooth rock. This happens naturally when the roots of trees grow underneath and along the sides of nearby rocks. Roots may also crawl around the rock surface while the trunk of the bonsai has formed. The tree will continue to grow in a straight manner with various obstacles in its path.
The Literati style is a bonsai style where the tree develops a skinny trunk and has a number of curved leaves. Bonsai enthusiasts say that this style depicts the struggle in nature to even the smallest form of life. In this style, there are a few bald spots along the trunk to recreate dead branches. The Literati bonsai style is found in trees that are located in densely populated areas. The trunk is bent and grows crookedly; this happens as the tree begins to mature.
The Han-kengai bonsai style is similar to the cascading style. A section of the trunk grows straight as a branch grows outward and slightly downward. A small area of the trunk can be seen before the thick branches are found. These branches grow in different directions with low-lying leaves. And because of this complicated design, the tree requires a deeper pot to control and preserve it.
You can start wiring a Wisteria bonsai tree any time of the year. Do this during the growing season or as the branches grow thicker and faster. When done later, the wire can cut through the bark which can lead to ugly marks and scars. This is why you must not forget to remove the wire when it is time to do so. You must also check your bonsai wire constantly for any problems as the tree is wired.
The type of wire to use
Wisteria bonsai trees may be wired using a variety of wires but two of the most common types of wire are anodized aluminum and annealed copper. These are used to train bonsai plants but there are differences between the two types of wires.
Aluminum is for deciduous trees while harder and stronger wires such as copper are for species with harder trunks like conifers and pines. If you are new to wiring bonsai or new to cultivating bonsai then you must initially use the anodized aluminum wire. This is easier to use and is readily available anywhere. Wire for wiring bonsai also comes in a variety of thicknesses. The most commonly used is the 1 mm to 4 mm wires.
You can avoid injury to the branch or bark when wiring by using raffia-soaked water. Raffia is palm fiber available from garden stores. This is wrapped along the tips of the branch or bark to protect these from damage as a result of bending and moving.
Step by step instructions on how to wire a bonsai
- Choose whether you need a double or single wire for wiring.
- Choose the thickness of the wire you will use.
- Measure the length of wire that you will use.
- Grab one end of the wire and wrap this around the branch you will reposition. Do this at a 45-degree
- Wrap the wire neatly in line along the branch that you want to train.
- Gently bend branches into position. Do this slowly to prevent any damage or injury to your delicate bonsai tree.
- You may use a guy wire to bring down branches that are too high. Wrap a protective material or raffia around the branch and place a hook at the end of this wire. Secure the hook and anchor it on a strong root. This will bring down the branch that is too high.
- Check your tree regularly after wiring. Do not forget to remove the wires on the date scheduled.
- After wiring, take note of the growth of your plants. Place it in a shaded area of your garden and water it every day. You must feed it Wisteria-friendly fertilizer.
Post-wiring care for your Wisteria
After wiring your Wisteria bonsai tree provide it TLC. Place this in a shaded area of your garden so it can recuperate. Never leave it in direct sun all day long. Feed your bonsai nutrients that are specially made so it can recover from wiring and pruning. Remove the wires on schedule so this won’t dig into the tree bark. Remove the wires by cutting the wires at every turn. Never reuse the wire but use a new one for wiring other branches. Remove wires at every turn makes it a lot easier to remove it without damaging the plant. Monitor plant health and let this rest to recuperate.
9) How to prevent pests & diseases
Wisteria is hardy and fast growing but it is prone to root rot. This happens when the root is exposed to moisture. You can prevent this by watering the tree when the soil is dry. This may be avoided by using the most suitable soil for bonsai trees like a sandy clay soil which can absorb and drain water well. Using the ideal bonsai pot is also a good way to reduce root rot. A pot with adequate drainage holes to drain excess water and fertilizer and improve aeration as well. You must also avoid overwatering your plants and water only when the soil is high and dry.
Wisteria bonsai trees are among the most beautiful bonsai trees and its beauty and dramatic appearance can be achieved with the use of correct nutrition, right training techniques and a good understanding of the needs of Wisteria plants. Only when you have a clear idea of what Wisteria trees need to grow healthy and strong will you be able to create healthy and strong Wisteria bonsai trees as well.