AusBonsai

Hi all,
So I’ve been offered this wisteria to dig. It’s established and it’s quite a drive to collect - about an hr away. I just want to hear opinions on how hard they are to dig and any tips if I was to commit.
Thanks,
Duc
Here is a pic of the tree




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You are killing it in the Adelaide yardadori scene at the moment!

Trunk looks pretty straight but if you can envision something to hang some flowers off of I'm sure it might look good in 5-10 years.

Haha thanks I can only try

As for the wisteria, I won’t have a truck to transport it so can’t leave it as is (long and lanky). I was thinking if I can cut back hard prior to taking it home. Plus read I need as much root ball and original soil as possible. Wondering if there is any truth to this for those who have collected them before.


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It seems like most of the roots of the wisteria was contained within this brick planter box. So the first pic was after the bricks and dirt were removed. Would it still survive in such state?


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Wisteria would survive a bomb blast.
Wood is soft so roots are relatively easy to cut but they are a bit fibrous so sharp tools will help.
You can cut the trunk as much as you like. It will just grow buds all over whatever is left, including from the roots if it has to.
You can cut the roots as much as you like. It will just grow new roots from whatever is left sticking out from the trunk under the ground.

Cuts above ground do not heal and the wood rots quickly so expect some dead sections and hollowed out parts on the trunk.

Thanks for the insight Neil. I’m confident with its survival chances then.


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Did you dig it up? Any pics from the potting?

The owner coincidently lives in the same suburb as me. He mentioned that he will dig it this weekend and take it back with him. So if all is true, I’ll have a wisteria at my doorstep without even having to dig myself.


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Doesn’t get any better than that. I’m off to dig a plum this afternoon.
Cheers
Kirky

Lovely. Good luck with the dig.


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That’s what’s he’s managed to far. No soil but has roots. Getting it this arvo...


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I just remembered, I don’t have any more room in my garden beds or box as yet. Can it stay bare rooted for a few days or I can place it in my pond until I can put it in soil.


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Should be fine this time of year. Wet some paper/cardboard/old rags over the root ball to stop the smaller roots drying out, or shovel some soil or mulch over it and it will be fine for a couple of weeks. As long as the roots are kept damp.
Cheers
Kirky

Thanks for the tip Kirky


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It has some roots. I hope it can pull through


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