Can I Grow Wisteria From Seeds?
Propagation by seed isn't recommended for wisteria, because the plants take many years to flower. The plant disperses seed on its own every year. Under the right conditions, those seeds germinate and grow into mature, flowering vines. The gardener who already has a wisteria vine who wishes to have more, or for someone looking to start a vine, layering or cuttings are more reliable methods. Does this Spark an idea?
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Layering
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Layering is an easy method of plant propagation. Layering is the process of securing a portion of the vining plant to the soil. This portion is still attached to the mother plant. Once it makes contact with the soil, it begins developing roots. When the new vine is mature enough to survive on its own, it is severed from the mother.
Layering a Wisteria Vine
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Select a flexible portion of new growth that reaches the ground. Bury the section, including a leaf node, under a couple inches of soil. Place a rock over the union securing the vine, as Nikki Phipps recommends. When the vine starts growing and puts out leaf nodes of its own, it has developed a root system and can be cut away from the mother vine. Leave the vine where it is or dig up the roots and replant it elsewhere.
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Cuttings
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Cuttings are simple method of propagating wisteria. Take cuttings from the tips of the vine. These are softwood cuttings and are much easier to root than hardwood cuttings, which may not root at all. Select a 12- to 18-inch piece of new growth and place it in a jar of water with ¼ teaspoon of rooting hormone, as Ed Hume Seeds recommends. Rooting hormone is a powder dissolved in the water. Monitor the cutting for root growth. When there are many roots, pot the cutting, allowing it to develop even more before transplanting it outdoors.
When to Start New Vines
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The best time to layer a vine is in the spring or summer, so the roots develop during the fall and throughout the winter. The best time to take cuttings, according to Ed Hume Seeds, is in the late winter before new growth starts.
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