Planting, growing and caring for wisteria in open ground, how to propagate

Wisterias are flowers that are used in gardening compositions. They look impressive due to their structural features and can decorate any area. Growing wisteria requires compliance with care rules. In order for wisteria to delight with its flowering, it is necessary to choose the right places for their placement, as well as control their growth.

General information about wisteria

Wisteria belongs to the legume family. They are profusely flowering climbing plants of the liana type.

1. A wisteria bush can grow up to 18-20 meters. A system of odd-pinnate leaves is formed on it; they are wedge-shaped and stretch up to 30 centimeters in length.
2. Flowers are collected in brushes. Under the weight of small flowers, the inflorescences stretch down, which reminds many of the jets of a rapid waterfall.

Wisteria flowers can be of different shades: pink-white and purple varieties have been bred through selective breeding. Violet or light lilac colors of the petals are considered common.

Wild wisterias are found in forested areas of Chinese provinces. Cultivated hybrid types are grown in the south of Russia, in European countries with a temperate-warm climate. In the USA, wisteria began to be grown as houseplants. In this case, the tree is formed in the common bonsai style, leaving the woody trunk bare.

Varieties and varieties

Wisteria became widespread after varieties adapted to different conditions were artificially bred from wild species.

Among the 9 officially existing species, only 3 are particularly popular.

1. Chinese wisteria. The vine of this variety reaches 25 meters, the shoots curl inward. A small white edge appears on the leaves at the stage of ovary formation, then it disappears. The leaves grow up to 20-30 centimeters, they are narrow and unpaired. Inflorescences are formed on the apices or apical depressions. The color range varies from white to lilac. The flowers are small and can grow up to 2.5 centimeters. The growing season takes about 150 days. The species blooms from May to August.
2. Full-flowering or Japanese wisteria. This variety begins to bloom in March, the inflorescences can stretch up to 80 centimeters. The shades of the petals of some hybrids can be red and yellow. This species is considered especially spectacular; it is Japanese wisteria that is used to decorate arches in parks and gardens.
3. Bush or American wisteria. More compact variety. Inflorescences grow up to 15 centimeters. It looks like acacia, sometimes they are confused. Among the shrub varieties, the variety Macrostachia Blue Moon (Blue Moon) is especially popular. The variety was developed in America. A married couple living in the northern state worked for several years to create a frost-resistant variety. They managed to create a hybrid that can withstand frosts down to -20 degrees.
4. Indoor or indoor wisteria. These are small trees that are formed in bonsai style. At home, flowers feel comfortable if you plant them in a large pot.

Specifics of growing flowers

Wisterias, due to their growth and structure, have special requirements for maintenance and care. Growing in the middle zone is possible only if additional conditions are created. In addition, wisteria must be properly cared for.

Soil requirements

Characteristics of soil that is suitable for growing wisteria consists of 3 points. The soil should be light, loose and nutritious. To achieve these indicators, you need to check the acidity of the soil. Slightly acidic soils in which the lime content is kept to a minimum are suitable for planting. Clay soils with a maximum range of nutrients are the best option for plants.

Choosing a location

Wisterias are heat-loving flowers.The homeland of wild species is the humid tropics, so for full growth and development, other hybrid varieties require warm areas.

To choose a landing site, you must follow the following rules:

• the site is chosen from the south side;
• the ideal option is places protected from draft winds;
• sunlight must reach the plants for at least 10 hours;
• it is necessary to take into account the species’ tendency to grow;
• vines require special supports; pre-installed trellises are a good option.

How and when to plant

The period when flowers are planted in open ground should exclude the possibility of return frosts. Despite the fact that hybrid varieties are frost-resistant, after transplantation they can freeze during the adaptation stage. The seedlings are planted in deep holes measuring 50 by 50 centimeters. Prepared drainage is placed at the bottom of the hole. In addition, mineral fertilizers are applied during planting.

Information! Once planted, wisteria may slow down their growth rate. This means that the root system of the flower adapts to new growth conditions.

Further care of the crop

After planting, a crucial period begins that determines the future of the flower. Care is related to species characteristics.

Fertilizer and feeding of wisteria

Like any profusely flowering plant, wisteria spends energy on the formation of inflorescences and long flowering. Therefore, feeding is an important part of care. They are carried out in accordance with certain rules:

1. At the stage of active formation of green mass, plants need to be supplemented with mineral and organic fertilizers. They are applied once every 7 days, alternating with each other.
2. The plants are watered with chalk water 1-2 times during flowering.
3. The deadline for applying the first fertilizing is March.

Watering

Irrigation should be regular throughout spring and summer. Watering is carried out as the soil dries. The soil must be constantly moistened, and excessive dampness should be avoided. Stagnation of moisture leads to rotting of the roots, which is manifested by a loss of color and a change in the shades of the leaf blades.

Air humidity

It is difficult to control humidity in a garden plot, so gardeners resort to some tricks. Wisterias do not like dry air. During dry summers, artificial sprinklers are turned on next to the vines. At the same time, make sure that the moisture is sprayed not on the vines, but next to them.

Temperature

For wisteria to bloom, an average air temperature of at least +20 degrees is required.

The frost-resistant variety can survive severe frosts, but in low temperatures it simply will not bloom.

Trimming

This is an important stage during the growing of the plant. The continued existence of the variety depends on proper pruning.

The first pruning takes place in early spring. The following are subject to removal:

• dead branches;
• old shoots;
• overgrown branches that interfere with formation.

When flowering, faded brushes are immediately removed so that they do not interfere with the further process.

How to cover for the winter

In Siberia, the Leningrad region and the Moscow region, wisteria need additional shelter for the winter. Preparations begin in late autumn. The vines are removed from their supports and non-viable parts are cut off. The vines are carefully laid on the ground in the direction of growth. Then they are covered with a layer of pine branches, sawdust or agrofibre. A thin layer of prepared soil is poured onto the shelter. This way the plant will be protected from frost.The snow cover will become an additional layer.

Treatment against diseases and pests

The specific disadvantage of wisteria lies in its instability to diseases and pests. This poses a particular danger, so flower growers recommend preparing vines in advance.

After planting in the spring, the plants are sprayed with special chemicals.

1. Carry out step-by-step treatment against aphids and mites.
2. The soil is supplemented with mineral complexes that can stop the development of fungal infections.

Features of cultivation in the regions

In the south of the country, wisteria grows without additional conditions. In the north, vines are sheltered for the winter. In addition, in Siberia or the Urals, vines are fed with organic fertilizers twice as much as in other regions of the country. Those varieties that have increased winter hardiness are grown there.

Reproduction methods

Various methods are used to breed varieties. Choose the one that is best suited, depending on the climatic conditions.

By layering

The structural features allow wisteria to be propagated by layering. This method is suitable for creeping, climbing varieties. The vine is dug into the ground, evenly distributed along a previously prepared groove. The cuttings are left for rooting. The next season they are separated from the mother tree and transplanted to a new location. The method preserves the varietal characteristics of wisteria.

Lignified cuttings

One way to propagate wisteria involves taking young cuttings and rooting them in water or soil. For cuttings, select a shoot at least 15 centimeters long, then powder it with a biostimulator for root growth and root it using water or soil methods.Rooting is usually carried out before winter in order to plant prepared seedlings in the spring.

Winter root grafting

In addition, wisteria can be propagated using grafting. The goal is to develop a new variety. For this purpose, varietal and non-varietal types are used. Roots that have reached 6 millimeters are dug up in the fall.

Then they are rooted separately over several months. Rooted cuttings of a non-varietal type are connected to the same cuttings of the selected variety. They are tied to each other with adhesive tape, treated with fungicides and released into a container with soil for further joint rooting.

In the spring, the seedling will be ready for planting in a permanent place of growth if more than 10 new leaves appear. If there are fewer leaves in the axils, then the shoot is removed for growing. Heated greenhouses are suitable for this.

From seeds

Wisteria seeds are purchased in specialized stores. They are sown in autumn in containers with low sides. The seeds are buried 2 centimeters, then sprinkled with the remaining soil. Before emergence, the top layer of soil is sprayed with a spray bottle. For growth, it is necessary to maintain a temperature range from +23 to +25 degrees.

Wisteria seedlings are grown in the classical way; before planting in open ground, special preparation begins. The containers are taken out into the fresh air to harden the sprouts and reduce the effects of stress during planting.

Landscape design

Wisteria is suitable for decorating the landscape:

• when designing arched compositions;
• for decorating gazebos, balconies;
• as an element of a hedge.

A prerequisite for the growth of wisteria is the use of additional supports, which allow the vines not only to grow upward, but also to expand in width.