Transplanting wisteria is a decision that you have to make when you really have no other option because it is not a simple task, especially when the plant is well-established. You have to be conscious of the seasons, scout for new locations and follow a range of other steps.
The steps for transplanting these plants are relatively the same, whether you are growing Japanese wisteria, American wisteria, or Chinese wisteria. Read this article to learn the right steps to follow.
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How To Transplant Wisteria Plants?
To transplant wisteria plants you have to be conscious of the seasons, scout for a new location, prepare and prune the plant. Then dig it out, transfer to a tub, prepare a new hole, transplant it and provide good support. As your final steps, prune again and continue care.
1. Be Conscious of the Seasons
Please note that transplanting wisteria in the summer or spring is a challenge because the plant will still be active. It is preferable that you transplant your wisteria vine or wisteria runners during winter when they are dormant. When a plant is dormant, its nutritional needs are lower and some processes in their cells are at their lowest possible rates.
Some experts suggest that transplanting your wisteria in early spring or late fall is the best decision. The reason for this notion is that the soil around the plant and in its new location will be easier to work on. The plant is also more likely to survive the ordeal.
2. Scout for a Good New Location
You also need to take your time in selecting the new location for your plant. For example, you should consider a spot that receives full sun, considering the high demand for sunlight by this plant. This is important because you do not want to repeat the transplanting process after realizing that you have chosen the wrong location.
The soil on your new spot should be well-draining so that your plant will not be affected by root rot. Apart from being fertile, the soil should also have a pH that ranges from neutral to acidic. If the soil is alkaline, wisteria bloom is negatively affected. To avoid this, we recommend that you acquire a home test kit that you can use to test the pH of the soil. If you do not have one, there is no harm in approaching your local extension office for assistance.
3. Prepare the Plant
We recommend that you thoroughly water your plant a few days before you transplant it. This way, it will be hydrated enough to survive the stress that it is exposed to when it is finally moved to another location. Also, even if some of the roots are damaged in the process, the water that the plant would have stored can keep it going for some time.
4. Prune the Plant
Prune the foliage of your plant using a saw. Pruning wisteria plants encourages the development of new growth. It is also a strategy that makes it easy for the plants to be moved from their original location to the new one. Trim the plant until it goes down to a height of about 3 feet. However, it is important to note that deeply pruning your plant will prevent flowers from growing for a few years as the wisteria grow back.
Sometimes, pruning the wisteria may cause some of the branches to start dying. This should not scare you because it will not actually kill the rest of your plant. All you have to do is just remove the disturbed branches and give room for the new ones to grow.
When you prune wisteria beauties before transplanting them, remember to sterilize the equipment that you use. Isopropyl alcohol that is diluted to 70 percent works well as a sterilizing agent. To prepare this solution, mix seven parts of concentrated isopropyl alcohol with three parts water. Sterilizing the saw helps to protect your wisteria plants from possible transmission of disease-causing microorganisms and other illnesses.
5. Dig it Out
It is time to detach the plant from its original habitat and this involves removing its root ball. Keep in mind the main aim is digging up wisteria roots to the extent that the root ball has as much of the soil from the original location as possible. This increases the chances of survival for your wisteria after transplanting it.
Ideally, begin to dig the ground that is approximately 21 inches away from the plant’s stem. Dig as deep as possible, even down to 24 inches from the topsoil because wisteria roots can reach far down in the soil. As you dig, pry in a circular motion around your plant to remove the connection between the plant and the soil from all sides.
Once you have been able to cut through the roots, use a shovel to push the root ball out of the hole, to the surface. You should have already spread a piece of tarp or burlap to the position where you will place the root ball. Surround the root ball and the accompanying soil with the tarp or burlap to reduce the chances of drying out, which can possibly cause wisteria transplant shock.
6. Transfer to a Tub
Once you have your plant, place it in a large tub that contains a soil-based compost. The best compost in this case should also be rich in leaf mold. Regularly water the compost for a period that spans up to a year. During this time, your plant will begin to recover and new buds will begin to appear.
To monitor the state of your wisteria during the time when you will be waiting for the first shoots, you could just scrap its stem lightly. If you see a greenish color after scratching, it is a sign that your plant is still fighting for survivalㅡit is not dead. Once your plant has brought out its new shoots, it is ready to be planted in its new location.
7. Prepare the New Hole
Prepare the place that will be your plant’s new home. Dig a big hole that should be at least twice the size of the root ball for your plant. Get the soil from the new hole and combine it with leaf mold or compost at a ratio of 1:1. Mix well to create a good growing medium for your wisteria plant considering that it loves soils that are highly nutritional.
You can also add some peat moss and grass clippings to improve the soil structure of your plant’s new location. The soil has to be well-aerated and properly draining. Consider adding water to the hole so that when you then add your plant, it is not exposed to stress that is related to dehydration.
8. Transplant the Plant
Carefully place the root ball of your plant into the hole that you created. This step is best carried out in the mornings or evenings when sunlight exposure is at its minimum levels. Take the soil that you prepared and stake it into the hole to give your plant the support that it needs. Tamp down the soil to ensure that all air pockets are closed.
Some prefer to use the soil from the previous location, instead. This is a good idea because it may make it easier for the wisteria to acclimatize to the new location. Immediately give your plant a drink by soaking it. This will ensure that the roots are well saturated.
9. Provide Good Support
Your plant still needs support in its new location. A pole or strong trellis will do a great job. The wisteria has a huge weight, which is one of the reasons why it needs to be supported. Moreover, the vine appears happier when there is a trellis on which it can climb.
10. Prune Again
Prune again to keep a reasonable burden for the roots that are not yet established. Pruning your wisteria again is a trick for promoting new growth, which the plant dearly needs at this point. You also need to maintain a good shape of the wisteria beauty and this is only possible if you prune it. Remember to sterilize your equipment before and after pruning your plant.
11. Continue Caring for Your Plant
Make sure that you provide your plant with its care needs, just like you used to in its previous location. You can give it an inch of water every week up to a point where the plant becomes fully established in its new location.
Wisteria plants can still survive well even if you do not supplement their growing media by adding fertilizer. However, adding a little might hasten the development of new growth on your recently transplanted plant.
Please note that soon after transplanting, your plant will focus its energy on establishing its roots. After that, it will redirect the energy to growing its foliage and roots. It will take a while before you can see blooms on your plant again. You will see your wisteria regain its gorgeous state again.
Conclusion
This article has presented the transplantation procedure that you should follow when you grow wisteria plants. Here are some of the points that you should keep in mind:
- Before transplanting your wisteria, choose the right season, select a good new location, and water the soil around your plant in preparation.
- Be sure to prune the plant before and after transplanting it.
- The new hole for your plant should be twice the size of the root ball.
- After planting your wisteria into the new hole, fill the remaining space with soil that is mixed with leaf mold, peat moss, and/or grass clippings.
- Provide your plant with an inch of water every week for about a month.
Now, you can attest that transplanting wisteria plants is possible if you follow the right steps. Apply the tips and continue enjoying the beauty of the wisteria flower in a few years to come!
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