I’ve been learning this year that doing the same work at a slightly different time can make a big difference. I usually thin my dwarf wisteria, Millettia japonica ‘Microphylla,’ in May, but this year I pruned it in June.
Dwarf wisteria before cutback
As you can see, the foliage is dense – so much so that the interior branches receive little light. By waiting an extra month to prune the tree, I risk losing interior branches and exaggerate the difference in vigor between the strong and weak areas of the tree.
The solution is simple – prune earlier. If I start in April next year, I can ensure that the interior branches receive adequate light throughout spring and summer.
This wasn’t much of an issue in the earlier stages of development, but now that the canopy is full, it’s time to reevaluate the approach and make sure the steps I take are aligned with the current design goals.
The work this year was similar to the work last year in that I reduced the new shoots to 1/4″ – 1/2″ long, and then reduced the leaves to between two and four leaflets each. (Thanks to Max and Christian for helping with this!)
After cutback
After leaf pruning – 13″ tall
Seeing the above image reminded me that the last time I thinned this tree marked the first regular post I made to Instagram. Since then, I’ve used the site as a visual index of recent posts. Give it a try at @bonsaitonight.
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Doug Zeeff says
Jonas, my Wisteria went crazy with growth this spring. I now have several seed pods and am wondering what is the proper method to grow them. The pods are almost completely dry so I want to harvest them before they become a snack for the squirrels. I am located in zone 7a.
I really enjoyed your Sunday afternoon presentation. It has rekindled my desire to get out and work on my trees.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks Doug, am glad you enjoyed the presentation!
Dirr’s Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation mentions that wisteria grow well from seed (store them in a dark, dry place; soak in water 24 hrs before planting) but that seed-grown specimens may be slow to flower and can display genetic variation. Commercial wisterias are typically grown from cutting, layer, or graft.
I want to see more wisteria bonsai, so I think anything of these approaches will be good places to start!
Nha Le says
Thank you so much for the post. I can try it on my tree.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Nha!
Jaye Marie says
I never knew there was such a thing as a dwarf wisteria and not the result of pruning etc… My wisteria leaves are refusing to shrink!
Jonas Dupuich says
I don’t expect leaves to shrink much on wisteria but I hope to learn more by creating more fine branches on the tree. Increasing the number of fine branches on bonsai is a great way to reduce leaf size in many species.
Guilard says
je n’ai jamais vue de glycine naine ,la tienne est très belle !!!
j’en est trois donc une de 150 ans ,80 ans et cascade de 45 ans
Jonas Dupuich says
Thank you! The dwarf is a great cultivar. Based on the ages of yours, the trees must be spectacular!