Wisteria and fertilizer

[timetravel_0]

While searching, I've come up with the following, when reading about Wisteria and fertilizer:

Consensus #1: Nitrogen prevents flowering
Consensus #2: DON'T USE NITROGEN! (in the context that it *hurts* the tree).

Right now I'm after development of the roots, trunk, branches, and foliage. I normally use a 3-1-2 fertilizer on all of my other trees.

Will the high Nitrogen content encourage growth of the plant (how I'm reading things), or will it damage the plant's health? I could care less about flowering at this point in time.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I am new to wisteria bonsai...but I do have one. It is my understanding that wisteria is as we know a vine. Asian wisteria is considered invasive...so by feeding it nitrogen your creating more work for yourself with it growing out of hand. Not sure it really "thickens" the wisteria other than increasing the length of the vine and foliage.

I was fortunate enough to have mine bloom this year...lovely...well worth the wait for those who are still waiting.

 

[timetravel_0]

I should have mentioned, it's an American species- Kentucky Blue Moon.

I'm keeping it out of the ground to prevent it from taking over the yard. Right now it's little more than a 3' tall whip with 10-12 branches sprouting from the end.

 

[fore]

While searching, I've come up with the following, when reading about Wisteria and fertilizer:

Consensus #1: Nitrogen prevents flowering
Consensus #2: DON'T USE NITROGEN! (in the context that it *hurts* the tree).

Right now I'm after development of the roots, trunk, branches, and foliage. I normally use a 3-1-2 fertilizer on all of my other trees.

Will the high Nitrogen content encourage growth of the plant (how I'm reading things), or will it damage the plant's health? I could care less about flowering at this point in time.

Yes then, feed the heck out if it. Like weekly 1.5 x normal dose of miracle grow. I did this to mine and it really incr the girth, and it even flowered using this dosage.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Yes then, feed the heck out if it. Like weekly 1.5 x normal dose of miracle grow. I did this to mine and it really incr the girth, and it even flowered using this dosage.

Wow...really? It doesn't weaken the tree to power fertilize it?

 

[jk_lewis]

Nitrogen is fine if you are trying to promote growth (foliage). Plants are plants; they all need NPK. How much of each you give them and when depends on what stage your plant is in, but Nitrogen will NOT "damage" one unless put on at 100% stronger than common sense would dictate.

 

[GrimLore]

It may not weaken the vine but it does not need Nitrogen.

"reason for failure to bloom can be excessive fertilizer (particularly nitrogen). Wisteria has nitrogen fixing capability (provided by Rhizobia bacteria in root nodules), and thus mature plants may benefit from added potassium and phosphate, but not nitrogen."

You can do anything you want and they may "appear" ok. You would however be surprised if you had several and just treated 1/2 of them with nitrogen. They grow but "leggy". You do not see that because you are attempting to grow a single plant. A note on Maturity - If it blooms or has bloomed it is mature regardless of size. If the plant is not using a dose of Nitrogen in the Spring will help it to some extent but do not reapply it throughout the season.

Grimmy

 

[fore]

Wow...really? It doesn't weaken the tree to power fertilize it?

No. I went from a cutting to a 1.25" trunk in 2 yrs.

 

[Cadillactaste]

No. I went from a cutting to a 1.25" trunk in 2 yrs.

Wow...that is impressive!

 

[GrimLore]

No. I went from a cutting to a 1.25" trunk in 2 yrs.

You have my attention - What substrate? In ground or potted? Which Miracle grow are you using and how often? Do you water with the fertilizer in place of that days water? Curious if you have the time

Grimmy

 

[fore]

You have my attention - What substrate? In ground or potted? Which Miracle grow are you using and how often? Do you water with the fertilizer in place of that days water? Curious if you have the time

Grimmy

My soil was my old stuff, turface, pumice and lava. Pot grown. MG 1.5X strength 1x/wk. Full sun. And no, if I fert, I don't water again (is that what you're asking?) I'd love to show a pic, but last yr. I thought I could get away with a major trunk chop as I wasn't happy with what I had grown, and had some wiring scars. Wrong time of the yr => loosing that growth. Didn't kill it, but I've had to start all over this yr. At least this time, I got wire on it, and off it before wire scarring and I really like the form much better now.

I'm just saying, these grow like weeds and can tolerate huge amts of ferts.

 

[GrimLore]

My soil was my old stuff, turface, pumice and lava. Pot grown. MG 1.5X strength 1x/wk. Full sun. And no, if I fert, I don't water again (is that what you're asking?) I'd love to show a pic, but last yr. I thought I could get away with a major trunk chop as I wasn't happy with what I had grown, and had some wiring scars. Wrong time of the yr => loosing that growth. Didn't kill it, but I've had to start all over this yr. At least this time, I got wire on it, and off it before wire scarring and I really like the form much better now.

I'm just saying, these grow like weeds and can tolerate huge amts of ferts.

The reason I asked is when I grow them they are in inorganic and kept damp but I never use Nitrogen for reasons I stated. They grow at a similar rate(fast like a weed). What I probably do different other then you is the frequency of fertilization and when I fertilize. Mine will only get Nitrogen one time in the Spring as I did it once by accident and just got into the habit. I use Bloom Blaster NPK: 0-39-25 once a few weeks prior to the hot spell we have and again when the nights cool off a bit and they start a Fall push(I treat them like shrubs not trees). I fertilize 10 to 15 minutes after normal watering as that is when plants are most likely to actually utilize it(when the roots are damp). I treat them what seems to be totally different with very good results. I guess my head tells me over fertilization is of no consequence in inorganic substrate as the plants will simply use just what they need. I will start some more next Spring and post results. Thanks for the feedback

Grimmy

 

[jkd2572]

Mine has flowered this summer as well using an bunch of fertilizer. Both miracle grow slow release and bougi fertilizer. I have let it grow unrestricted all summer and it has gone from a chop to 6 foot long branches all over. The canopy is really in the way and grabs at you when you walk past it. I think I'm going to have to cut it back in the fall to fit in the garage to winter over. I'm thinking about possibly being brave and leaving it out side. Our winter was brutal last winter for us and I have not yet decided. I would love to let it grow unrestrained again next year to trunk it up some more. Anybody overwinter these outdoors?

 

[Dav4]

Rodney Clemons has a giant wisteria sitting on a block in front of his greenhouse. It's too heavy to lift without a fork lift so it stays there year round. It saw single digits a few times last winter, too. Chinese wisteria are hardy to usda zone 5, so they should be able to be wintered outside without too much difficulty.

 

[GrimLore]

I have never taken Wisteria in for the Winter. When I have them I put the pot(s) on the ground next to a wall or fence. We have put up burlap wind breaks in the past but I stopped a few years ago and it does not seem to matter. They are difficult to kill once they are established. I have a good collection source so I have done several in the past and given them away. They are all still ok and none are in "ideal" hands.

Grimmy