Is it easy to grow Clematis?
An explanation for netizens on the cultivation of Clematis in a home setting. Is Clematis easy to grow? Here are the details:
Many gardening enthusiasts are captivated by the beauty of Clematis and want to grow it but are unsure if it's easy to cultivate. If we were to rate the difficulty of growing Clematis, the editor believes it is of medium difficulty. It is not as tough as plants like the Chinese evergreen but also not overly delicate. So, if you wish to grow Clematis, enthusiasts can certainly give it a try. Below are the experiences shared by gardeners.
1. How to choose Clematis
Selecting Clematis seedlings is crucial. First, choose a good variety. Many varieties are proven to be weaker, such as White Face, Patricia, Hong Star, Kyoko, Shoko, and many Fs. Therefore, beginners must be cautious. Also, choose a reputable seller.
2. How to prepare the soil
The quality of the soil mix can be judged by the speed of water flow. After preparing the soil, fill a 1-gallon pot and pour water into it. If the water drains away immediately after pouring, the soil is well mixed. Also, young Clematis should be planted shallowly in spring, especially in the south, with the root茎 junction exposed. In the humid southern spring, if the soil covers this vulnerable area, it is easily invaded by bacteria, leading to wilt. You can place some ceramic stones over the root茎 junction; this is both aesthetically pleasing and protective. (Note: Do not place too many, as excessive humidity in spring can increase the繁殖 of pathogens.) In autumn, young Clematis can be buried deeper to promote more root growth, which helps in faster recovery after wilt.
3. Watering and pest management
Many times, young Clematis are killed by excessive water. Clematis has fleshy roots that are afraid of waterlogging but enjoy being moist. Therefore, watering should be controlled in winter, about once every two weeks. In summer, water more frequently, about every three days. Since it's too hot in summer, it's best to water in the morning from the saucer. Do not water directly at noon, or the roots will rot. The principle is to water when the soil is dry, not every day. Watering can be more flexible in spring and autumn because young Clematis are in their vigorous growth period and use water quickly. The idea of watering thoroughly when dry does not mean using a lot of water, just enough to see some water flowing out, not repeatedly drenching. Fs are particularly afraid of water because their root systems are generally very fine, similar to geraniums. So, some suggest growing Fs like geraniums, except for the cultivar 'Utopia).
Young Clematis are most afraid of wilt. Wilt is like a cold in humans, and there is no absolute preventive medicine yet. In the changeable seasons of spring in the south, it's best to use carbendazim or potassium permanganate to prevent wilt. Wood ash is also a good preventive material. An old farmer told me that in the past, when there were no organic pesticides, they would scatter wood ash on the pods and other plants early in the morning when it was foggy, effectively preventing wilt and pest occurrences. When wilt occurs, first water a small amount to see if it is caused by lack of water. If it is still wilted after watering overnight, it can be confirmed as wilt. Immediately cut off the top, remove the leaves, and follow the vine until the blackened wilted area is found, then cut it off with scissors. The wilted vines can also be cut and propagated. After pruning the wilted Clematis, it should be treated with carbendazim or potassium permanganate, disinfected by watering the roots, placed in a shaded area for a week to recover, waiting for new shoots to emerge. However, it is difficult for young seedlings to recover after wilt in one year, while 2 to 3-year-old seedlings can definitely sprout, so if young seedlings wilt, you should prepare yourself to buy new seedlings, while you can wait for older seedlings.
4. Pruning
There are no absolute rules for pruning Clematis. Generally, after flowering, if seeds do not need to be preserved, the stem below the flower can be cut for propagation. In autumn and winter, when young Clematis enter dormancy, pruning should be done immediately. Young seedlings can be cut close to the ground, while older seedlings can retain strong branches, especially double-flowered varieties like Dani, Arctic, Josephine, and Crystal, which should retain old branches.
5. Overwintering care
Most Clematis can overwinter outdoors in the south, and even in the north, older plants are usually fine. In winter, for young seedlings, after pruning, cover them with dry peat or coconut coir. Older seedlings can be placed freely. The most important point in winter is to control watering. Actually, just spraying some water on the surface of peat or coconut coir is enough; do not overwater. After the young Clematis sprout, they can be repotted. Place some fermented organic fertilizer at the bottom of the new pot, but remember, a small amount. Then add a layer of new medium before placing the young Clematis. It's usually not advisable to change to a larger pot for one-year-old seedlings. Fs should not be repotted in a larger pot, should not be given organic fertilizers, but can be given a moderate amount of mixed fertilizer.
6. Growing Clematis in the ground
Clematis is very suitable for ground planting. In the south, young robust seedlings can be planted directly in the ground, but in the north, generally 2-year-old seedlings should be chosen. Using a method of planting with pots in the ground is recommended by some, which has good results. This is done by making more holes in the bottom of the pot to allow the roots to feel the ground and grow out from the bottom. You can use black currant pots or two-color pots without worrying about damaging them. The reason this method works well is that the Clematis first absorbs the essence of nature and second, the pot walls are higher than the surrounding soil, effectively preventing waterlogging. Ground-grown Clematis rarely wilt and will provide a stunning display of flowers that cannot be achieved in pots. As long as there is no waterlogging and not too many ground pests, you can pretty much leave them alone. After all, Clematis are bred from wild varieties. Letting Clematis return to nature has many benefits!
The above methods on whether Clematis is easy to grow (with experience summary) are for reference only.