Usually my Chinese wisteria sends out leaves and flowers at the same time. This year it was all flowers.
Chinese wisteria ‘Caroline’
After enjoying the bloom, it’s time to remove the flower stems. This saves the tree from producing seed pods and allows the new leaves to receive more light.
When most of the blooms have fallen away, I bring the tree into the workshop and start cutting.
Any guesses how many flower stems I removed?
Before clean-up
After removing the flowers, 32″
If I had guessed I’d have been way off. It turns out there were 388 racemes on the tree! Not all had fully elongated, but that’s how many cuts I made to reduce the racemes to the small leaf buds growing at the base of each stem.
Although I’ll miss the color in the garden, there’s always a chance I’ll see a few flowers in summer. In the meantime, I’ll let the tree grow freely until the leaves harden off and the tree becomes dense. At that point I’ll prune and reduce the leaves (see “Leaf pruning Chinese wisteria” for details).
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Ray says
Thanks Jonas, mine will bloom on about 2 weeks. Very good info😎
Sean says
I bought a cheap Chinese wisteria a few months ago. I’m in Southern California, and am surprised it hasn’t really done much yet. The tips look like they’re changing color, but that’s about it. It’s been a late spring overall, but shouldn’t it be pushing.. something by now?
Jonas Dupuich says
I’d expect it to be pushing, but trees can open late for a number of reasons. I’d start to worry if it’s not open by mid-May, but beyond ensuring the tree is exposed to sunlight and warmth (whether from the weather or from a heating mat), I don’t know that there’s much to do in the meantime.
scott chadd says
i have 25 from seeds that are now 12-14 years old and 1″-2″ in diameter. five of them made flowers this year. not tons of flowers or great density but nice blue racimes that are 6″-8″. i have always been told that if one waits long enough you will see them bloom. well it is a true story but i am pretty sure it is 10-15 years waiting.
Carmen Scott says
Do you have a bonsai pot in mind for it? I would love to see options for shapes and colors that complement wisteria.
Jonas Dupuich says
I don’t – I like the blue pot I used before but need something bigger. Will keep looking!