Key points for pruning wisteria

Pruning methods

Summer pruning – cut back long branches after the flowers fade

Wisteria flowers usually bloom on the branches of the previous year, so pruning the branches after the flowers fade is not only beneficial to the vigorous growth of the plant, but also invisibly paves the way for next year's flowering.

After flowering in early summer, cut back the long branches of the year to 15 cm, and cut off unnecessary branches and dead branches. Easy to do. But as for the cutting effect, no one can help you with this. It depends on your personal aesthetic. There is no hard and fast rule on the number of pruning times. If the wisteria grows too fast, you can prune it twice, with the same pruning length.

Winter pruning: Cut long branches back to 3-5 buds

Pruning needs to be done again at the end of winter, and the long branches pruned in summer should be shortened to 3 to 5 buds (there are many small buds on the branches in winter, and the length of the cut branches should be about 10 cm). For the sake of aesthetics, you can cut off the branches that grow inharmoniously, so that fallen leaves or dead branches can be easily seen in winter and cleaned up in time.

Pruning considerations

Update the main branches. As the wisteria grows older, its main trunk may be affected by diseases and insect pests, which will affect its shape and flowering, and it needs to be updated in a timely manner. The main trunk should be selected again for cultivation in spring.

In early spring, before flowering, useless branches and buds on the main trunk should be cut off to promote the growth of flower branches.

Special attention should be paid when pruning potted wisteria: the main trunk should not be too long, and no more than 5 main branches should be left in different directions along the stem. Side branches should be shorter than main branches. The new branches that grow every year should be properly pruned, removing the weak and keeping the strong, and pinching the tips appropriately. Try to maintain the shape of the pot and the beauty of the flowering.