Wisteria from a skip

Hi Friends,

Yesterday afternoon I found a this Wisteria in a skip. The builders told me it was dug up about 15 minutes ago.
I picked it up, and since I was at work, and had it in my car for a few hours before I reached home and plant it in a pot.
I now have it in my new greenhouse.

At this time of the year and in such circumstances wonder what the chances of survival are? Also, Is it a nice material for a Bonsai?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Faisal

I think I would have planted it in a larger box and with a nearly 100% organic soil -- composted pine bark, or similar. Keep it very moist.

Thanks Jim, As you can see n the picture, there not much roots and it did fit nicely into the pot.

I am keeping it moist at all times.

Regards,

Faisal

Faisal
Is that Kyodama the wisteria is in with organic material?
If so don't worry it will do okay, don't keep it too wet over winter, but dampish so as not to dry out. You do not want what roots you do have to rot off and keep it frost free. I kept mine in a garage last year out of harms way after all it is deciduous so doesn't need the light until spring when the buds start to move.
As to whether or not it is suitable for bonsai judge for yourself the first tree was grown from nursery stock over 30 years ago when it was slightly thicker than a pencil!
It is featured in Peter Adams book 'flowering bonsai' (if you can source a copy do so it is full of factual advice on that and other varieties) .

It stands over 90 cms in height with a trunk 15cms in diameter.
the other is a photo of the one I kept in the garage last year which is an air-layer from the above.


They are easy to air layer but only look good for about 2 weeks of the year when in flower but it's worth it!!!.

Here is the photo that should have been attached to the previous message.

PS
The perfume of the flowers is unimaginable.

Hi Faisal, I think you have a very good chance with this one. A friend of mine collected a much larger one, with almost no root, and it really wanted to survive but his aftercare wasn't up to scratch as he was moving house. It still put out new growth in hte spring but then declined as there was insufficient root. If you have (or can justify getting) a heated cable, I'd discuss it with Tony as he has used one for establishing big collects for several years.

I have been tentatively offered a gaint wisteria trunk (possibly 110 years old, if it is as old as the house) as all the upper branching died off. It has come back strong on the lowest metre, so would make an ideal candidate. Not too far to go for it either as it's my next door neighbour's!

Thank you, Dave, for the valued information. They're lovely pictures and great inspiration. Looking at the first picture I think
mine should not look too bad. And no, I'm not over watering it. Just keeping it moist.

I will save these pictures, if thats OK.

Regards,

Faisal

Thanks, Kev. I will discuss it with Tony this weekend. I just got this greenhouse yesterday. Its not massive. only 10 ft x 8 ft but i AM planning to have a small area with underground heating cable.

I would LOVE to see that 100 year old Wisteria. Hope you post some pictures once you've got it.

I really hope you can make it to BURRS this weekend. Even if for a day.

Regards,

Faisal

See you have your new greenhouse up Faisal. good timing with the skip find. As Dave says, I'm not sure it is good bonsai material at the moment, you'll just have to see how it back buds.

Dave. Those Wisteria are fantastic. Particularly like the smaller one.

Thanks, Will. Good if it buds back. If not, I didn't really put in much effort into it.
But if survives, I think it can make a decent bonsai.

If it doesn't back bud, you could plant it in the garden. I have seen Wisteria trained as standards or trees and they look amazing.

I will do. I've got 1 already. I planted 2 together (Purple & White). Love them with flowers.

I picked up a wisteria similar in size to yours from a compost heap in mid january which for us is mid summer and very hot, the roots were dry and crisp it survived easily and I still have it today, I reckon your tree will survive.
Craig

F. Waheedy wrote:Hi Friends, I found a this Wisteria in a skip.
Faisal

As you know, our two countries do not speak the same language. I was not sure what a skip is, and of course Merriam-Webster was no help. To access the OED, you have to pay for a subscription or go to the library. I finally got the information from Wikipedia indicating that a skip is what we call a dumpster. I bet your skip was by the kerb next to a lorry.
Iris

As usual Iris, you are on the button with the British skip = American dumpster. We usually hire one of a suitable size for clearing away things like garden refuse, builders rubbish or general waste that won't go into kerbside refuse (garbage) collection. The container is left with the hirer until it is filled and then collected for recycling or landfill. They are often a treasure trove for those minded to go "skip-diving". I am not averse to obtaining discarded plants, furniture, timber (lumber) and other recyclable building materials, to avoid it going into a hole in the ground.

Finds like Faisal's Wisteria are uncommon but not unknown, so stay vigilant folks.

Apologies, Iris. While posting here we should always keep in mind that there are people from different parts of the world on this forum.

@ Kevin : Thanks for explaining what a skip is :-)

What I would say is keep vigilant but be very careful while driving. I know that 70% of my attention, while driving, is on peoples driveways and yards. And I'm sure most people on here are no different.

Regds

When I do talks on bonsai to the uninitiated, they are always amused to hear that those interested in bonsai often make bad drivers, precisely for the reasons you mention. Also because their attention is caught by landscape trees that we would like to model our little trees on.

Drive carefully!