Grafting Wisteria.

[Hackimoto]

On Thursday I received in the mail five Double Dragon Wisteria cuttings, (Wisteria floribunda 'Violacea Plena) thanks to a very generous forum member. Three of them are flowering wood and two are vegetative growth. I decided to graft the later two on to an old wisteria trunk that I have been preparing for a couple of months. Two of the other three I will graft onto some smaller Wisteria plants that are just lying around taking up space. The third one I will try as a cutting as I don't want to put all my eggs into one basket and lose this variety. The old trunk was a W. floribunda that would not flower, so about fifteen years ago I grafted W. sinensis onto it and it has flowered ever since. Having too many sinensis I decided to use this plant as a stock for grafting the Double Dragon on to as it has a fantastically twisted, old trunk that would look great with the double Wisteria grafted onto it. Here is a a pic by pic progression of the process for anyone wanting to try their hand at it. The procedure can be used for most other trees as well.

[Rintar]

very cool one i want to keep an eye on for the future

[MattA]

Hey Hack,
Thanks for posting such an informative thread, I have seen various grafting methods but the wad of sphagnum is genius. I have only ever had luck with hardwood cuttings in winter but if you have luck it gives lots more options for propagating material.

How long do you expect it to take before you see signs of life in the grafts?
Matt

[Hackimoto]

If I dont see any new growth from them within about 6 weeks then I would start to think that they were not successful. The top of the stock plant above the grafts is allowed to grow vigorously and the cut should heal over incorporating the graft with it. When I notice new growth I poke a hole in the plastic bag to let the new growth emerge and then after a few weeks remove the bag completely. I then remove the top of the stock plant above the graft so that all vigour goes into the new scion. I don't remove the grafting tape for a couple of months until I am sure that the graft is strong and growing well.

[kcpoole]

Excellent Expose Hackimoto.
I have added a link to this thread off the Grafting Wiki pages here https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... e=Grafting

Thanks
Ken

[Hackimoto]

Thanks Ken, I will keep it updated.

[shibui]

Thanks for the post Hackimoto,
The only time I tried grafting wisteria I grafted into older wood as I would with fruiting species - both failed so I have not tried again. Your post is timely because recently I noticed a double flowered wisteria growing on a front fence in this area - propagating material

Does anyone know if there are other wisteria doubles in Aust or is it certain the double flowered one I have found is 'Double Dragon'?

[Hackimoto]

Hi Shibui, according to Peter Valder's book on wisterias, "Violacia Plena" is the only double flowering wisteria in existence and also produces the darkest flowers. It is usually called Double Wisteria or Black Dragon or Double Black Dragon. In his book he states that much confusion in its naming has surrounded this cultivar worldwide since its exportation from Japan, but all cultivar names have come back to being the same plant. He also states that it is very shy to flower when young but given full sun, regular summer trimming and ample nutrition this should be able to be achieved relatively quickly.

[shibui]

Thanks Hack, Sounds like its the one.