The Latest Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Clematis

Clematis, also known as iron-thread peony, golden-wrapped silver, mountain clematis, Weilingxian, etc., is a herbaceous climbing plant of the genus Clematis in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It has several species, varieties, cultivars and hybrids, and can be cultivated for garden ornamental use. It enjoys the reputation of “Queen of Climbing Flowers” and has extremely high ornamental value. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for clematis!

Growth Habits of Clematis

Clematis is distributed in Guangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi and other places, growing in hilly scrubland in low mountain areas, and is also cultivated in Japan. It prefers fertile, well-drained alkaline loam, and dislikes waterlogged soil or soil that dries out in summer and cannot retain water. It is highly cold-resistant and can tolerate -20 low temperatures. When affected by red spider mites or leaf-eating pests, ventilation needs to be increased.

Propagation Methods of Clematis

1. Sowing: The original species of clematis can be propagated by sowing. Seeds sown in spring germinate in about 3 to 4 weeks, while seeds sown in autumn germinate when spring warms up.

2. Layering: Clematis layering propagation is done in March using mature stems from the previous year, and roots usually form within 1 year.

3. Division: Clumping clematis plants can be propagated by division.

4. Cuttage: Hybrid clematis cultivars are mainly propagated by cuttage.

Cultivation Methods of Clematis

1. Temperature: The optimum temperature for clematis growth is 15 to 17°C at night and 21 to 25°C during the day. When the summer temperature is above 35°C, clematis leaves may turn yellow or even drop, so cooling measures should be taken in summer. In November, as the temperature continues to drop, clematis will enter dormancy when it falls below 5°C. In December, clematis fully enters dormancy, and leaf drop begins in the 1st and 2nd weeks of dormancy.

2. Light: Clematis needs more than 6 hours of direct light per day, which is very beneficial to its growth, although spots may appear when the weather is hot. Potted clematis can be grown under full-light conditions from autumn to early spring of the following year without shading; after entering summer, it is necessary to prevent strong direct light and provide appropriate shading. Otherwise, the leaves of clematis are likely to age and turn yellow, resulting in poor growth.

3. Watering: Clematis is very sensitive to moisture and cannot be too dry or too wet; especially during high-temperature summer periods, the substrate must not be too wet. Generally, during the growing period, water thoroughly once every 3 to 4 days, watering when the substrate has dried out but the plant has not yet wilted. During dormancy, it is enough to keep the substrate moist. When watering, do not let water accumulate on the leaf surface or at the base of the plant, otherwise diseases are easily caused.

4. Fertilizing: Before new buds sprout in late February or early March, clematis can be given a little compound fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 15:5:5 to speed up growth, and in April or June, apply a phosphorus fertilizer once to promote flowering. Normally, a 20:20:20 or 20:10:20 water-soluble fertilizer at 150 mg/kg can be used, increased to 200 mg/kg during the peak growing period, and sprayed 2 to 3 times per month.

5. Pruning: The purpose of pruning clematis is to make the plant produce more flowers. Generally, it is done once a year to remove some overly dense or weak branches and allow new branches to extend in all directions. The pruning time should be determined according to the flowering period of different cultivars. Early-flowering cultivars (flowering period April to May) should be pruned after flowering, that is, in June to July, removing excess branches, but lignified branches must not be cut off. If pruned before this, the plant will not bloom that year.

Precautions for Cultivating Clematis

1. In the first few months after planting clematis, pay attention to providing sufficient water, with a watering area no less than 50 cm in diameter, so that the roots can extend outward, and special attention should be paid to drainage.

2. When planting clematis, generally dig a hole 40 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter. After loosening the hard soil at the bottom of the hole, put in a large amount of humus, then add topsoil mixed with bone meal. Note that the branches are brittle and easy to break, so attention should be paid to guiding and fixing them.

3. For clematis in poorly drained clay or light sandy soil, after loosening the bottom of the hole, mix in — a shovel of peat soil or humus. In places where water may accumulate, the bottom should be raised with stones or rubble, 25 cm above the surrounding soil surface.

4. Clematis diseases include wilt, which is especially likely to occur in summer when rainy days clear up and the temperature rises sharply, causing branches to suddenly wilt; new shoots often sprout in autumn or the following spring. Other diseases include powdery mildew and viral diseases, which can be sprayed with a 1000-fold dilution of 10% antibacterial agent 401 acetic acid solution.

5. Clematis pests include red spider mites and slug moths, which can be killed by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% fenitrothion emulsifiable concentrate.