Resurrection of our Wisteria sinensis

[Karesansui]

Winter 2011-2012 we had our first serious Frost damage due to minimum temperatures as low as -22,9 °C (-9.2F), growth of most plants, including the Pinus densiflora, Japanese Red Pine started a few weeks late.

However our Wisteria sinensis did not show any sign of live.... initially....

In June 2012, both, side trunks showed signs of life. The main trunk later proved dead from about 30cm (12 inches) above the ground.
I made a selection of new twigs from the "explosion" and led them along the old, dead wood.
Most of them have now reached the top !!
The result is that our once beautifully looking solitary "tree-like" Wisteria now looks a bit, uh, different to say the least.

Now (may 2013) I expect some flowering gratitude in return.
And actually with regard to flowering this may become a new record year. The number of flower buts that has developed may very well set a new flowering-record...

that is to say, when weather permit.
....over 1200 racemen at one time (April 25th 2011)....
It may take a week or so to see it into full bloom.

I'll keep you posted.

[Tigger]

It's really remarkable how plants can recover from near-death experiences.

David

[Karesansui]

It's really remarkable how plants can recover from near-death experiences.

David

For sure. What did not die is the main trunk that, after some 15 years (age ±18y), has a diameter of about 22 cm or ±9 inch.
I expect the full bloom in about one week .... I'll keep you posted.

[thy]

So beautiful

From which year are the pictures ?

Someone asked for pruning instructions last year I think. I will read them when I see if mine have survived from last year when I fogot all about it - no water and it was in a pot

[Karesansui]

Well, it is not as good as we had hoped for but it is far better than we expected a year ago.

The top flowers, although there are plenty buds, are not yet in bloom. This will probably take one or two additional weeks. The spring season starts a couple of weeks too late after a very cold period.

wisteria-sinensis-1st-re-bloom-2013-IMG_0652.jpg (67 KiB) Viewed 7661 times

An other observation is the fact that the raceme are more open, having only halve the number of flowers each, and thus the flowers are far less dense than two years ago.
Here a 2011 photo:

wisteria-sinensis-2011-may-small.jpg (56.2 KiB) Viewed 7661 times

[thy]

Did you get the top to Bloom ?

It was stunning before it got bit by the frost

[Karesansui]

Did you get the top to Bloom ?

It was stunning before it got bit by the frost

Not this season but the growth is explosive so we need to see how this will develop in the next year ... looks promising however.