Clematis cultivation and breeding methods
Do you understand these? Introduction to home cultivation of clematis, methods of clematis cultivation and breeding, keep reading!
Clematis is a type of vine and climber plant belonging to the Clematis genus of the Ranunculaceae family. In the past century, European horticulturists have cultivated numerous horticultural varieties, with flowers in brilliant and rich colors, flower diameters of 15-20cm, and the largest clematis flowers can reach a diameter of 30cm. They bloom profusely, with the flowering period from early summer to mid-autumn. Due to their outstanding ornamental value and special garden uses (the vertical绿化 characteristic makes them perfect for decorating walls, fences, pergolas, terraces, and porches), they have become world-famous ornamental plants, known as the "Queen of Vines."
Clematis is distributed in the Yangtze River Valley and South China. Generally, it can tolerate -20°C. In cold areas, it can be cultivated in sheltered places. It prefers sunny locations, fertile, loose, and well-drained loamy soil and calcareous soil. Most clematis cultivation varieties are vines with opposite, bi-pinnate compound leaves. Flowers are solitary in leaf axils, about 7.5cm in diameter; sepals are 4-8, white with light green longitudinal stripes on the back; flowering period is June to July. Achene, feathery style persistent. Hybrid large-flowered clematis, flower colors range from white to rose red or blue-violet, and can be divided into three categories:
① Hybrid clematis population;
② Hybrid rotor clematis population;
③ Hybrid between pubescent leaf clematis and southern European clematis population.
The original species can be propagated by sowing, dividing, or layering. Hybrid large-flowered cultivation varieties are mainly propagated by cutting, suitable in July to August. The branches are fragile and easy to break, so a支架 should be set up in advance for support. For cultivation varieties with flowers on one-year-old branches, light pruning is recommended; for those with flowers on the current year's branches, cut short 75cm from the ground in early spring. Diseases and pests include wilt, powdery mildew, viral diseases, and red spiders. Clematis is an excellent flowering plant for pergolas, and can be used to decorate walls, trellises, flower columns, archways, and pavilions, or planted for ornamental purposes.
Clematis breeding methods
Propagation by sowing, layering, grafting, dividing, or cutting is possible.
Sowing: The original species can be propagated by sowing. For seeds with cotyledons emerging from the soil (small achenes, thin seed coats), if sown in spring, they can germinate in about 3-4 weeks. If sown in autumn, they will germinate when it warms up in spring. For seeds with cotyledons remaining in the soil (larger, thick seed coats), they need to go through a low-temperature stratification stage to germinate, with the first set of true leaves appearing; some species require two low-temperature stages, such as rotor clematis. Stratification treatment, such as storing seeds at 0-3°C for 40 days, requires about 9-10 months to germinate. They can also be treated with a certain concentration of gibberellin.
Layering: Use mature branches from the previous year for layering in March. Roots usually form within one year.
Grafting: Hybrid clematis can be grafted onto the rootstocks of C.vitalba or C.viticella using a cleft grafting method with a single-node scion. The node has 1-2 buds, and the section below is 5-10cm long. Grafting in a heated and sealed grafting box can easily promote survival.
Dividing: Clumping plants can be divided.
Cutting: Hybrid clematis cultivation varieties are mainly propagated by cutting. Take semi-mature branches in July to August, cut between nodes (the middle of the two nodes above and below), with 2 buds on top. Use a mixture of peat and sand as the medium. The cutting depth should be just above the buds. The bottom temperature is 15-18°C. After rooting, transplant to 3-inch pots, overwinter in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory, and move outdoors in spring. Provide shade from heavy rain in summer, and plant by the end of October.
Clematis cultivation
Planting time: In the north after thawing, in the central regions in April to May. The soil around the roots should not be pressed too tightly, just slightly pressed with the hands. The top of the soil ball of potted plants should be level with the surface soil; when planting bare-rooted, the crown should be 5 centimeters below the surface. After planting, cover the top with 10 centimeters of peat or humus to prevent the roots from overheating in summer and to keep the soil moist. Seedlings should be planted in one go. Transplanting in spring and autumn is both acceptable. For species that bloom on old branches, such as clematis and rotor clematis, only light pruning is required; for those that bloom on new shoots or lateral branches, such as Z-type clematis and pubescent leaf clematis, heavier pruning can be done. Choose a sunny, windward location to plant the plant with soil balls.
Precautions:
After planting, pay attention to watering sufficiently in the first few months. The watering range should not be less than 50 centimeters in diameter to allow the roots to extend outward.
If the branches are brittle and easy to break, pay attention to guiding and fixing them.
When cultivating clematis, special attention should be paid to drainage.
When planting, generally dig a hole 40 centimeters deep and 60 centimeters in diameter. Loosen the hard soil at the bottom of the hole and add a large amount of humus, then add surface soil mixed with bone meal. In clay or light sandy soil with poor drainage, mix the bottom with a铲 of peat or humus. In areas where water may accumulate, use stones or tiles to raise the bottom 25 centimeters above the surrounding soil.
Disease and pest control:
Clematis has strong resistance to diseases and pests and rarely experiences severe damage. Diseases include wilt, especially likely to occur when the weather suddenly clears and temperatures rise sharply in summer, causing the branches to suddenly wilt, often sprouting new branches in autumn or the following spring. Others include powdery mildew (affecting leaves or flowers), viral diseases (yellow spots on leaves, flowers malformed), etc., which can be treated with a 10% acetic acid solution of 401 antibacterial agent. Pests include red spiders and sawfly caterpillars, which can be controlled with a 50% fenvalerate emulsion.
Garden use:
Clematis has sparse foliage, with some large and colorful flowers and others with many small flowers forming large inflorescences, which are unique and indispensable materials for climbing绿化. They can be planted near walls, in front of windows, or next to trees and shrubs, or planted among rocks. They can climb on flower columns, archways, and fences; they can also be potted for ornamental purposes. Some species are suitable for ground cover. Some clematis flower branches, leaf branches, and fruit branches can also be used for bouquet decorations and cut flowers.
Medicinal value:
The roots and whole plant can be used as medicine. It has diuretic, qi-regulating, and laxative effects, and can be used to treat dysuria, abdominal distension, and constipation; externally used for joint swelling and snake bites.
The detailed explanation of clematis cultivation and breeding methods shared above, hoping this article can bring you some help in green plant management!