Standard Wisteria question

As stated in another post (members gallery)- I am trying to grow a Wisteria as standard - I have the instructions, the stake and the plant - and after pondering a while in respect of postition - I have now planted it - wound round and tied to a very sturdy stake.

The instructions say - in August when the stem has reached the height you want - to remove the growing tip to encourage lateral growth. Problem - the shoot is already taller than the height I wanted by a good two foot. Question do I a) wait til august before cutting this back b) do it now or c) allow the plant to recover from its planting for a month and do it then?

 

Fran, I've never tried growing a standard wisteria, only the normal climbing type.

I guess being a twiner its something you need to keep on top of, otherwise you could end up with a very tangled mess.

I used to prume in July and Jan, but I think they are so rampant you can probably prune at anytime, in the growing season, but only the current years growth.

I'd cut it back now, its bound to reshoot and you could even get another trim back in early August.
Bear in mind though,........ I'm only guessing.:D

 

Thanks Pete - I'll let it settle for a week and then prune the leader back and see what happens. Gonna be an interesting few years - if I get it right I'm gonna have a border feature dripping in racemes in spring, and a real splash of colour at autumn. If I get it wrong - a mess as you say.

Having seen what they can look like grown as a standard, rather than the normal pergola/wall growing lovely though they are for a few weeks - gotta give it a try.