Any wisteria experts on here?

[slinkycat]

A friend has ( or should I say had) a beautiful old wisteria, probably at least 20-30 years old. This year it has failed to bloom or come into leaf, despite always looking wonderful in previous years.

I've looked it up on google, and the only cause I can find is wisteria crown gall. I've had a look at it today and there doesn't seem to be anything visible above ground, also there are healthy new shoots growing from the base.

Any ideas?

[Buenchico]

Wisteria scale?
http://apps.rhs.org.u.../profile.aspx?pid=508

Otherwise, see 'Problems' here:
http://apps.rhs.org.u.../profile.aspx?pid=173

Chris

[slinkycat]

Your second link is interesting Chris, could well be the problem, thanks for that.

[hammerman]

You need to see if t5he plant is alive first by doing a "thumnail" test. Using your thumbnail, just scrape away a small piece of bark from the main stem. If it's green underneath, it's alive, if brown, it's dead.

You can do this on any part of the plant to see if individual stems have died.

[malagabob]

Mine has not flowered well this year, plenty of healthy leaf growth but no flowers compared to last year. Maybe its down to the unusual weather this year?