Wisteria trained into a standard

[Ordin]

I'm training a wisteria into a standard small tree. I've got the main step/trunk of the tree to the height I want and I now have let a few side shoots being to grown to form branches. How do I support and shape these side shoots with them being vines? Do I need some kind of support tructure or do I just wait for the vine to thicken up first?

 

[Shibui]

The new branches should grow up and out. Only the outer ends should hang down so no need for support. You will prune off any long, hanging parts when the branches reach desired thickness or at the end of summer whichever comes first.
Both wisteria I have were developed without any support for branches and only minor wiring to adjust the position of branches and sub-branches.

 

[Ordin]

The new branches should grow up and out. Only the outer ends should hang down so no need for support. You will prune off any long, hanging parts when the branches reach desired thickness or at the end of summer whichever comes first.
Both wisteria I have were developed without any support for branches and only minor wiring to adjust the position of branches and sub-branches.

Thank you, so do I prune the side shoots when they are the length I want them and then let them thicken? Or do you let it thicken before cutting?

 

[Shibui]

Growth generally = thickening so allow the side shoots to grow as long as they can until the first section is thick enough then prune back. You will fin that branches and trunks need to be cut back further than the final length because trees almost always grow longer when the next buds sprout.
Cut back below desired length and regrow gives us taper (thicker to thinner) in the trunks and branches. It also gives us bends where new shoots grow at a different angle from the part below. You can wire to produce bends but, in my experience, bends from pruning usually look far more natural than wired bends.

Maintaining a bonsai shape is a continuing process of grow out past desired shape and cut back below desired shape.

Much of bonsai depends on weather and climate. It helps us give much better advice if we know your approximate location. Adding location to your personal profile means it comes up every time you post. Saves us having to ask and you remembering to type it every time.

Pictures of trees are always worth a thousand words. Experienced growers can pick up things from a photo that a beginner did not even know to ask about. When we have some photos we can often stop talking theory and possibilities and start talking about that tree in particular.