Is Clematis easy to grow?
Compared to the knowledge most people have about growing flowers at home, whether Clematis is easy to grow, let's take a look together.
Many gardening enthusiasts see beautiful Clematis shared by others and want to get some, but are not sure if Clematis is easy to grow. This article summarizes the experiences of gardening enthusiasts based on their own experiences, covering everything from getting to know Clematis, to purchasing, to maintenance, which is very valuable for新手 gardeners.
1. Awareness
At first, my appreciation for Clematis was like every beginner—curious and excited. The colors and shapes of the flowers are very beautiful, and later I gradually learned to appreciate its simplicity (which is of course a personal feeling). In my heart, I think it has an "incomparably quiet beauty," combined with Western gardening art, which gives it more meaning, thus accelerating my love for it.
2. Selection
At the beginning, I would also buy and bring in flowers randomly, just like when you like any kind of flower, there is always an understanding process. I believe that no matter what you like or raise, you must first have a plan. First, you need to have enough space and environment; without space and environment, I'm sure people who like to grow flowers would feel the same—frustrated and helpless! A suitable location determines the outcome, and of course, you also need to consider how to arrange the existing flowers. Plan the space first, then choose and bring in varieties, which will save a lot of energy and money. Blind and crazy purchases, and later finding nowhere to grow them, is even more tragic. My environment is: a city apartment balcony, a courtyard and surrounding open space in my hometown. For apartment dwellers, space is still the most limiting factor, so if there is not enough space, grow fewer but better.
3. Seedling Purchase
Having grown flowers for so many years, I am more inclined to get flowers from friends or directly from nurseries, and finally choose sellers with a good reputation. If you have good gardening friends around, sharing and exchanging is the best way, as it can enhance communication and friendship; if you have nursery resources, the cost-performance is also the highest, giving you a lot of choice; buying from online vendors, I think "cheap doesn't mean good" holds some truth. For enthusiasts, quality is the priority: the right variety, the robustness of the roots and buds, and the security of shipping are all factors we need to consider. It's better to avoid introductions that are dazzling and exaggerated. I would rather spend a bit more money to buy genuine products.
4. Cultivation
Everyone has their own set of management and cultivation methods, and I'll also talk about my own approach. I think before March is the golden time for transplanting, as the buds are visible and there are no leaves, which won't greatly affect the transportation of the seedlings. When buying seedlings: if you get them from friends, there's no doubt, you can discuss and learn from each other. If you choose from a nursery, I first look at what kind of substrate they use because nurseries consider rapid cultivation and追求 commodity seedlings, which is different from our home care, so I wouldn't choose a substrate with a hormonal tendency. Actually, Clematis is quite tough and doesn't require special care.
After receiving the seedlings, we first look at what substrate they used and try to choose a similar one when transplanting. Clematis has a developed root system, so a loose and breathable substrate is more important than a fertile one. First, put some large-particle ceramic stones or bark, stones, etc., at the bottom of the pot; then lay a layer of substrate, and then take the seedling out of the nutrient pot. At this time, carefully observe the roots, don't put them in right away,整理一下 roots to make them more relaxed, and put them in without any gaps. Then slowly fill the soil around, shaking the pot a few times to make the substrate fit well, but be careful not to press the soil too hard, or the roots will be crushed and compacted. Finally, trim the seedlings a bit and secure the branches.
For the current year's seedlings, my personal habit is to prune them into three categories after planting, which leaves nutrients for the base and increases the chance of new shoots, making the seedlings stronger. So don't be too reluctant to prune. I use P9 pots for the current year's seedlings; P14 or 1-gallon pots for two-year-old seedlings; and then increase gradually each year. For ground planting, I choose seedlings that are two years or older, and I'll put some straw at the base during winter. For potting, I use: peat 70% + coconut shell 15% + perlite 10% + a variety of other materials. It's not necessary to be too particular, just make it loose and breathable, and change the substrate every year or increase the pot size by one.
After potting, no matter how moist it was before, I will water it thoroughly and then put it in a shady place for about a week before moving it to outdoor management. For ground planted Clematis, I don't make any major improvements, just improve the surroundings a bit and then add organic fertilizer (chicken manure, sheep dung, decomposed leaves, etc.) once a year to ensure looseness.
About watering: Water thoroughly when dry, and don't use saucers, as accumulated water can rot the roots. So don't use saucers for the sake of clean floors, just mop up the water that seeps out. Water in the morning and evening in summer and very little in winter, about the same for ground planting.
About fertilizing: For small potted seedlings, add a little澳绿, and for larger pots, add some organic fertilizer, but not frequently. Before spring sprouting, after flowering, and before winter, remember not to add too much.
About pesticides: Antibacterial pesticides for potting every quarter, and twice a year for ground planting, with a light concentration; for pest and disease control, don't use it if there are no pests, and if you can remove them by hand, don't use it. Plants, like people, also need a comfortable and free environment, and they need grooming.
5. Feelings
Clematis is not that delicate, and we shouldn't deliberately torture it. The more blindly we do, the worse it gets, and I've learned this lesson. If you find it withered, don't worry too much, immediately cut it back, which might bring you some hope. Water thoroughly in summer, don't let it accumulate, otherwise it's prone to suffocation, and potting should avoid direct sunlight. Don't just admire the leaves and flowers and forget the roots, which need more care and nutrition at this time. In winter, don't neglect it just because it's cold-resistant; prune it, manage the branches, change the potting soil, and it will be even more beautiful next year.
The above is the introduction to whether Clematis is easy to grow (personal experiences in growing Clematis), hoping it can be helpful to you. Don't forget to visit more gardening experience and knowledge!