With its lush flowers, the wisteria is a truly impressive plant in spring. But since it needs a lot of space, the idea of growing a bonsai out of it makes sense. This isn't too difficult, but it is time consuming.
How do I grow a wisteria as a bonsai myself?
To grow a wisteria as a bonsai, choose a refined variety, start cutting early, ensure a harmonious overall appearance and provide the bonsai with plenty of water. The plant only flowers after a few years.
The roots of wisteria are a mixture of taproots and shallow roots. You should keep this fact in mind when training bonsai and choose an appropriately deep and wide planter.
Are some varieties particularly suitable as bonsai?
In principle, you can try to grow a bonsai from any variety of wisteria. However, the species of Japanese wisteria seem to be particularly suitable. However, you should pay attention to a harmonious overall picture. Wisteria macrobotrys has extremely long flower spikes and Chinese wisteria has quite large leaves. Both make it difficult to raise bonsai.
When do I have to start cutting?
Since wisteria grows quite quickly, you should start targeted cutting quite early. If you aim for a final size of around 40 to 60 centimeters, this is the best way to achieve a harmonious relationship between flowers, leaves and branches.
What do I have to consider when caring for a wisteria bonsai?
Two things are particularly important when caring for a wisteria as a bonsai. On the one hand, the bonsai needs a lot of water in summer and during the flowering period. If you don't want to constantly check it, place the planter on a saucer filled with water. This way the plant takes care of itself.
On the other hand, wisteria will not bloom if it is transplanted too often or cut incorrectly. When pruning, always leave enough flower buds and only repot your wisteria bonsai every three to five years.
The most important things in brief:
- select refined wisteria
- start cutting early
- first cut the basic shape, then maintenance cut
- pay attention to a harmonious overall picture
- only blooms after a few years
Tip
A wisteria as a bonsai must be particularly well supplied with water so that it blooms regularly.
