AusBonsai

I have read a few threads about great wisteria rotting away. Not many of them discussed about the causes that could help us prevent the problem.
Three of my wisteria trees were doing very well in their old pots. I recently repotted them in early spring using much more draining soil. I also exposed some roots. This afternoon, I noticed some wrinkles on the roots of one wisteria plant. After a scratch test, I discovered that a lot of roots are rotted inside and also half of the tree is dead even the folliage looks completely normal. I checked another tree that look absolutly healthy, some root are also rotted. I realy want to know what happens here. My camera phone is not working to show the pics. What really bothers me is that the old soil was not draining well at all and the old homemade pots had water logging but the wisteria thrived. Now with better condition, they are rotting away Any suggestion???

I put Wisteria and Bougainvillea in the same group ......... the pain in the ass rotting wood group

Use wood hardener to preserve any good stuff!!

I'll be interested to see responses here.
My wisteria has not had problems with roots rotting but whenever I shorten branches below leaves the remaining part refuses to shoot and dies back to the next branch. A couple of times when I have removed branches at the base the wound does not heal and rot sets in. Agree with Shannon - Most frustrating
However this year my oldest wisteria flowered for the first time. I bought it as a seedling - great flared trunk base on seedlings - about 25 years ago. A long time to wait for flowers.

wisteria heals very.... very.....very.....very.....very slowly.

hi all,
Shibui- i'm facinated to hear that after 25yrs it finally flowered for you , you must have nearly fainted though!
what magic does it take to get wisteria to flower?

As Asus mentioned they heal slowly and the wood is soft. Easily rots if not protected by cut paste

Ken

I have a very old Wisteria that came out of the ground to make way for a pool. It was cut way to low by the time I got there and the wood has rotted back to create two seperate trees. It is due to be taken out of the pot next season and I will be able to see what is going on under the soil.
This was a few years ago. I will get an updated picture tomorrow.

Wisteria do not like root disturbance. they can be sat in a bucket of liquid fertiliser and still not have enough moisture or fertiliser.
Clay is good or 100% Akadama.
I had one for 22 years before it flowered. Then according to the guy I sold it too has never stopped since.
Grafted ones produce flowers quicker than seed grown.

To make them flower!! place an AXE next to it.

Seriously, when the leaves turn brown and drop in Autumn give them a heavy feed with phosphorous. Then at fornightly with Phostrogen if you can get it. Or Yates fruit and flower. As I said mine did not flower for 22 years, but Mrs Pups has always flowered.

P!!$$`3 me off since I am the one looking after them.
Rotting should be treated like all rotten wood clean it out then treat with wood hardener. If it is a large hole some quick drying cement will help, just a bit of artistry to make it look like the wood.

Cheers Pup

Flowering for the second time this year Not much wood left Might be a couple of intresting bases left though. I say let them rot. My days of fighting rotting deadwood are over

once Im done doing some homework Ill get some pictures of mine.
Mine was collected a year ago and has filled the tub its in well. It flowered twice since collection, although its had few flowers.
Mine was donated to Adelaide zoo between 1850 and 1860 by the Prime minister of China.

Asus101 wrote:Mine was donated to Adelaide zoo between 1850 and 1860 by the Prime minister of China.

man... im keen as to see this thing

kvan64 wrote:Any suggestion???

i would put the tree in a very open mix so there is more air in the soil. after you treat the rot, it might slow it down a bit...