The cultivation of clematis is less delicate than is generally assumed. By planting the opulent climber properly, you pave the way for vigorous growth for many years to come.
The following planting instructions answer all essential questions precisely and understandably.
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Is cultivation by seed recommended?
You will not discover the recommendation for sowing clematis in a practical planting guide.In fact, the seeds take up to 3 years to germinate. A vital clematis from the nursery, on the other hand, flowers in the second or third year if you plant
When is the best planting time?
The ideal planting time for clematis is from August to October. In the sun-warmed soil with temperatures between 14 and 22 degrees Celsius (57-71 F), there are perfect conditions for the strong growth of the roots.
If you plant the clematis correctly according to these planting instructions, the beauty of the flowers will start the next season with a vital growth advantage. With a little luck, you can look forward to flowering in the first year.
What should the substrate be like?
In order for the clematis to develop its dense foliage and lush flowers, it depends on the following soil conditions :
- Nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil
- Freshly moist and well-drained
- Ideally a pH around 6.0
If you prefer to plant a clematis in a bucket, we recommend high-quality potting soil. The substrate should be structurally stable, enriched with compost and sand as well as a handful of expanded clay or styrofoam balls for better permeability.
What aspects should be considered when planting?
Follow these planting instructions and prepare the soil for planting clematis in late summer. Loosen the soil thoroughly and remove all weeds. In the meantime, place the still potted clematis in a bucket of water to thoroughly soak the root ball. Follow these steps:
- Create a planting pit with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
- Create drainage of 5-8 centimeters (2-3 inches) in height at the bottom of the pit with gravel, grit, or shards of pottery
- Mix the excavation with compost and horn shavings
- Repot the soaked clematis and place in the center of the planting hole
- Properly plant clematis with a slight inclination in the direction of the climbing aid
Plant clematis correctly in the bucket
If you assign a clematis the task of privacy protection on the balcony, the smaller species and varieties thrive wonderfully in the bucket or balcony box. Important to note is a sufficiently large volume of 30 to 40 liters and an integrated climbing aid.
Otherwise, the planting instructions for the garden also apply here, with drainage above the water outlet being of the utmost importance.
What plant spacing is considered appropriate?
The large clematis family is home to a wide variety of species and varieties. You will encounter robust, short Clematis Alpina and mighty Clematis Montana with a height of up to 10 meters (32 feet). A generally valid planting distance can therefore not be defined. As a rule, the value is between 80 and 150 centimeters (6-12 feet).
How to propagate clematis?
A healthy clematis provides plenty of plant material in summer for propagation by means of offshoots and cuttings. This form of offspring is much faster than sowing. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut cuttings 12-15 centimeters (4-6 inches) long from the middle part of a clematis
- Defoliate each scion except for one leaf
- Dip the bottom part with one eye in rooting powder
- Small seed pots fill with a lean, moistened substrate to plant one cutting at a time
- Put a plastic bag over it so that it does not touch the offshoot
In a partially shaded place at 15 to 21 degrees Celsius (59-69 F), the cuttings root within 6 to 8 weeks. Until then, the hood is aired daily and the substrate is kept constantly moist.
Tips
The undisputed dream team among flowering climbing plants is made up of clematis and climbing roses. In addition, clematis cuts a fine figure in company with witch hazel, water hazel, and laburnum. However, close proximity to rhododendrons should be avoided due to the very acidic soil.
