I have an old wisteria which i removed from the ground, after growing in a pot for a year i have removed it to see what roots i had only to find 1 whole side is rotten. Have now placed tree on side and repotted in a semi cascade to cascade form with the rot on the surface.
My question is what can i put on the trunk to stop any further rotting? I have removed most of the rotten wood as well.
Will post some pics soon, any advice appreciated.
Last edited by Chad on July 2nd, 2012, 11:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hi Mick
Do you use the Lime Sulphur neat or is it watered down and if so what proportions, also and I don`t want to hijack this thread but would this also apply to bougy`s
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but nothing stops rot in Wisteria, you can delay it but in the end the rot will devour all deadwood. It will not kill your wisteria as long as you keep it strong & healthy the tree will find its own place.
Yours looks to have plenty of growth on the remaining trunks so the worst of the rot might be over for you. Keep the tree well fed & watered, if you use a water tray during the growing season make sure it drys out or is drained daily as stagnant water will also encourage root rot.
Matt
Last edited by MattA on July 2nd, 2012, 5:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
42 Mice ~Imperfection
"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards." ~ Vernon Sanders Law
"All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own." ~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth
"Bonsai becomes great when growers start trees they know they will never see in a pot"
Like Matt said, once it starts, let it find its own place first and take it from there. Same with Figs and Bougs. Looks like it won't lose too much more as there seems to be good root supply to what is left. Hate to say it now, but you would have been better off not pruning most of the roots to keep the strength going. I also still like the first pic as it gives you a nice spread with good taper to the base. The dead wood would be a feature rather than hiding it.
Earls Wood Hardener will protect dead wood as will Lime Sulphur, but they do different things. Earls will harden and old wood, but is best on hard wood trees to start with. Lime Sulphur will reduce decay, but mostly protects from insect infestation and bleaches the wood. Use it straight, but only apply to dead wood, and don't get it on the living bark. For best results and to avoid the surface residue, I let it get touch dry, and then hose the tree down to remove the surface coat and leave what has soaked in. Gives a much nicer finish, but may require a couple of coats if you want it whiter. Wisteria, like Bougainvillea, does look better when the dead wood is dark though.
Don't panic and let it rest and grow free in Spring for a while.
I was intending to make a feature of the deadwood, i just wanted to stop it, all that rot was under the ground so i didnt know it had it. Eventually i will do some carving and may even remove one of the branches as it is very straight.
When i repotted it i did not remove any of the roots so it will remain strong. Has just been turned on to its side.
Have now placed tree on side and repotted in a semi cascade to cascade form with the rot on the surface. 
