What causes yr wisteria to rot???

We have some unique pests to deal with in Australia. Post your experiences and treatments here for others to learn from.
Post Reply
User avatar
kvan64
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1627
Joined: September 10th, 2009, 9:46 pm
Favorite Species: black pine
Bonsai Age: 16
Location: brisbane
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 36 times

What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by kvan64 »

I have read a few threads about great wisteria rotting away. Not many of them discussed about the causes that could help us prevent the problem.
Three of my wisteria trees were doing very well in their old pots. I recently repotted them in early spring using much more draining soil. I also exposed some roots. This afternoon, I noticed some wrinkles on the roots of one wisteria plant. After a scratch test, I discovered that a lot of roots are rotted inside and also half of the tree is dead even the folliage looks completely normal. I checked another tree that look absolutly healthy, some root are also rotted. I realy want to know what happens here. My camera phone is not working to show the pics. What really bothers me is that the old soil was not draining well at all and the old homemade pots had water logging but the wisteria thrived. Now with better condition, they are rotting away :( Any suggestion???
Always we hope someone else has the answer.
Bonsai is an art of shrinking.
User avatar
Shannon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 413
Joined: June 24th, 2009, 10:19 am
Favorite Species: Ficus, Clerodendrum
Bonsai Age: 25
Bonsai Club: Canberra, Sunshine Coast, BCI
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by Shannon »

I put Wisteria and Bougainvillea in the same group ......... the pain in the ass rotting wood group :lol:

Use wood hardener to preserve any good stuff!!
Last edited by Shannon on December 10th, 2009, 6:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7675
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 67 times
Been thanked: 1420 times
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by shibui »

I'll be interested to see responses here.
My wisteria has not had problems with roots rotting but whenever I shorten branches below leaves the remaining part refuses to shoot and dies back to the next branch. A couple of times when I have removed branches at the base the wound does not heal and rot sets in. Agree with Shannon - Most frustrating :!:
However this year my oldest wisteria flowered for the first time. I bought it as a seedling - great flared trunk base on seedlings - about 25 years ago. A long time to wait for flowers.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Asus101
Just a product
Just a product
Posts: 1493
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 5:38 pm
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: SA Bonsai Soc.
Location: Renmark South Australia

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by Asus101 »

wisteria heals very.... very.....very.....very.....very slowly.
Young and hostile but not stupid.
dregs24
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 75
Joined: September 25th, 2009, 7:20 pm
Favorite Species: ELM
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: MELB

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by dregs24 »

hi all,
Shibui- i'm facinated to hear that after 25yrs it finally flowered for you :D , you must have nearly fainted though!
what magic does it take to get wisteria to flower?
User avatar
kcpoole
Perpetual Learner
Perpetual Learner
Posts: 12272
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 4:02 pm
Favorite Species: Maple
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: the School Of Bonsai
Location: Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 84 times
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by kcpoole »

As Asus mentioned they heal slowly and the wood is soft. Easily rots if not protected by cut paste

Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
User avatar
Bretts
Bonsai Philosopher
Bonsai Philosopher
Posts: 6670
Joined: November 14th, 2008, 11:04 pm
Favorite Species: carpinus jbp
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Jervis Bay NSW
Has thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by Bretts »

I have a very old Wisteria that came out of the ground to make way for a pool. It was cut way to low by the time I got there and the wood has rotted back to create two seperate trees. It is due to be taken out of the pot next season and I will be able to see what is going on under the soil.
This was a few years ago.
wisteria bonsai.jpg
bonsai wisteria (5).jpg
I will get an updated picture tomorrow.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
User avatar
Pup
Knowledgeable rogue
Knowledgeable rogue
Posts: 6357
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 5:19 pm
Favorite Species: melaleucas
Bonsai Age: 31
Bonsai Club: Bonsai society of Western Australia
Location: Southern Suburbs of Perth Western Australia
Been thanked: 35 times
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by Pup »

Wisteria do not like root disturbance. they can be sat in a bucket of liquid fertiliser and still not have enough moisture or fertiliser.
Clay is good or 100% Akadama.
I had one for 22 years before it flowered. Then according to the guy I sold it too has never stopped since.
Grafted ones produce flowers quicker than seed grown.

To make them flower!! place an AXE next to it. :lol:

Seriously, when the leaves turn brown and drop in Autumn give them a heavy feed with phosphorous. Then at fornightly with Phostrogen if you can get it. Or Yates fruit and flower. As I said mine did not flower for 22 years, but Mrs Pups has always flowered.

P!!$$`3 me off since I am the one looking after them.
Rotting should be treated like all rotten wood clean it out then treat with wood hardener. If it is a large hole some quick drying cement will help, just a bit of artistry to make it look like the wood.

Cheers ;) Pup
IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT

I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
User avatar
Bretts
Bonsai Philosopher
Bonsai Philosopher
Posts: 6670
Joined: November 14th, 2008, 11:04 pm
Favorite Species: carpinus jbp
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Jervis Bay NSW
Has thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by Bretts »

Flowering for the second time this year :D
wis.jpg
Not much wood left :shock:
wis2.jpg
Might be a couple of intresting bases left though.
wis3.jpg
I say let them rot. My days of fighting rotting deadwood are over :geek:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
User avatar
Asus101
Just a product
Just a product
Posts: 1493
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 5:38 pm
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: SA Bonsai Soc.
Location: Renmark South Australia

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by Asus101 »

once Im done doing some homework Ill get some pictures of mine.
Mine was collected a year ago and has filled the tub its in well. It flowered twice since collection, although its had few flowers.
Mine was donated to Adelaide zoo between 1850 and 1860 by the Prime minister of China.
Young and hostile but not stupid.
User avatar
aaron_tas
HARDKNOCKSBONSAI
HARDKNOCKSBONSAI
Posts: 1067
Joined: November 13th, 2008, 3:18 pm
Favorite Species: ulmus
Bonsai Age: 100
Bonsai Club: south tas, Illawarra, Launceston
Location: Launceston
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Re: What causes yr wisteria to rot???

Post by aaron_tas »

Asus101 wrote:Mine was donated to Adelaide zoo between 1850 and 1860 by the Prime minister of China.
man... im keen as to see this thing :!:
kvan64 wrote:Any suggestion???
i would put the tree in a very open mix so there is more air in the soil. after you treat the rot, it might slow it down a bit...

:D
inspired by nature,
considered superior to nature.
Post Reply

Return to “Pests and Diseases”