Evening star., 1947-04-27

We have two husky young wi
which would indicate full showi
Z Or years old, have not
been root pruned and are not sup
posed to have been grated plants.
They have been Towering for sew.
eral years, which is contrary to the
usual belief that a plant must be
7 to 10 years old before Towering
The idea that plant must be
to 10 years old has much of fact
behind it for the wisteria does not,
normally. begin to flower until 1t
has reached a so-called maturity,
the period when growth tends to be
at much slower rate. This is
certainly true of those plants which
have not been forced into flower.
Grated plants normally begin flow
ering at an early age. Most of those
raised by layering tend to bloom
much sooner than those raised from
seed. When the plants strength is
checked and diverted into the pro-
duction of flowers and seeds, earlier
blooming is the result.
One sure way to force an estab-
lished wisteria into flower is to try
to dig it out. Finding it a tough
job most gardeners leave 1t alone
and are greatly surprised to see
flower buds and goodly display
of bloom the following spring. Root
pruning, more polite term for the
attempted removal, simply consists
of cutting the surface roots with a
sharp spade, usually at a distance
of IL to IS inches from the trunk.
This shock is sufficient to throw the
average wisteria into Towering.
Once started they seldom stop. Per-
haps, ringing would accomplish the
same end, but I have not seen a
report of such test.
Other Flowering Techniques.
Summer pruning is another
method of forcing the formation of
flower buds. This consists of cut
ting the new shoots Current growth)
back to two or three buds two or
three times during the summer
Even old established wisterias
should receive some summer pruning
both as stimulus to Towering and
to keep them within bounds. How
ever, the home gardener will prob
ably find pruning the young vine
somewhat of a chore, especially if
the vine is trained up over a high
pergola or trellis and will prefer to
use the spade and root-prune.
Wisterias that are trained on a
horizontal frame normally flower
much earlier than those trained to
the vertical. This is true of num-
ber OF kinds of vines. Even some
roses must be tied down each spring
until the Towering shoots have
started. Where a wisteria is trained
to climb tree or other tall support
it tends to wait until it reaches the
top before starting to flower.
A young wisteria can be forced
into flower by tying a simple knot
in the trunk, which need not be
tight enough to break the bark.
This tends to stunt the top above
the knot. Just how this will affect
the life of the vine is unknown, but
1t will accomplish the objective
force the vine into Towering.
Suckers Should Be Cut.
Most wisterias throw suckers at
the base or along the trunk and
these should be removed, more or
less constant job. Those coming
from near the ground are often
overlooked and may get entangled
with lattice, work. This should be
avoided since they are strong enough
to crush it If left to grow. The
removal of the suckers diverts the
plants strength to Towering and
is important. no matter which
method is used to start the Towering
habit.
The wisteria; is one of the most
satisfactory climbers that We can
plant, although it requires a large
space on trellis or wall However,
one can enjoy the tree form. which
requires no more space than small
tree. Many nurseries now offer the
tree, or standard form" If one has
the patience he may buy the ordi-
nary vine and train it. This takes
several years, during which the vine
is tied to tall post and kept
pruned to the desired height, allow
ing the laterals to grow to limited
length, usually 2 to feet.
With all its vigor and seemingly
wide adaptation, the wisteria does
best in deep. fairly rich soil and
one that does not dry out readily.
1t is a tap rooted plant, however,
and so is not as subject to drought
injury as this may imply. Never
theless, for good growth ample
moisture is needed
Insecticides Are Effective.
Wisteria is not a shade loving
plant and if planted in the shade
it will climb to the top of the tallest
tree to reach sunlight. Wisterias are
seldom bothered by insects or dis
eases. but should pests or diseases
appear. the standard insecticides
and tungicides may be used with
safety to the vine. The most likely
pest to be encountered is the Ian
tern fly, which lays its eggs in the
cracks in the bark and covers them
with a white wax secretion. If the
injury is pronounced it may be con-
trolled with nicotine-sulphate. Oc-
casionaily the silver-spotted skipper