How to feed clematis in spring for growth

Many large flowers of bright colors against a background of lush greenery, climbing fences, descending from balconies, curling along trellises and supports - this is how clematis bushes look in the midst of flowering. They belong to those ornamental plants that landscape design professionals are happy to use in their art, and amateur gardeners - to decorate their personal plot.

How to feed clematis

The abundance of flowering and fruiting of a plant of any variety depends on how much nutrition it receives from the soil and air. In green organisms, the process of life support for generative organs (flowers, fruits) is provided by powerful roots that can penetrate deep into the soil and take moisture and necessary substances from there. They actively suck in water in which ions of mineral salts are dissolved, products of life processes of soil microorganisms, substances that enter the soil during the decomposition of organic residues.

Curly clematis on the arch

The roots of clematis (Clématis), in Russia better known as clematis, do not penetrate into the soil deeper than 1 m, the radius of the root zone also does not exceed 100 cm. In such a volume, even the most fertile soil is not enough to obtain a natural amount of macro- and micronutrients to feed the richly flowering plant. Therefore, in order for clematis bushes to receive the required amount of nutrients and water, flower growers are forced to carry out regular feeding of clematis.

Wild clematis flowers

Organic fertilization

Lianas of some clematis can rise above the ground to a level of 5-8 m. But most varieties have stems 2-4 m long. Many varieties of clematis form numerous shoots. Timely feeding of clematis allows plants to show all their varietal characteristics and provides dense shoots and many inflorescences, which can be small-flowered - up to 8 cm in diameter, and large-flowered (Ø 8-25 cm).

For gardeners who use organic fertilizers, there is no question why clematis does not grow. The stimulating effect of plant and animal residues, which are separated into mineral substances during decomposition, allows plants to form new shoots, increase leaf mass, and lay a large number of flower buds. A large selection of organic substances, which include manure, compost, ash, peat, humus, bird droppings, makes you think about how to feed clematis.

Natural substances that increase the acidity of the soil are not suitable for use in nutrient formulations. Ash is a fertilizer that does not increase the acidity of the soil. Its aqueous solution is suitable when it is not clear what to do when clematis does not grow well.

Perennial large-flowered clematis

A 1 liter can of dry wood ash is used, the powder is poured with boiling water, insisted for a day, filtered. The drained liquid is diluted in 2 buckets of settled water. Water around the roots at a distance of up to 30 cm from the central stem. The larger and older the plant, the more solution you need to use. About a glass of diluted fertilizer is poured under one young plant.

Ash contains a small amount of nitrogen. Therefore, if feeding is carried out after it has been determined why clematis has pale green leaves and it has been concluded that the main reason is a lack of macronutrients, which include nitrogen, then fermented herbal infusions are used as fertilizer.

Blooming terry clematis

Classic recipes for such fertilization include collecting weeds, lawn grass, dry foliage. They are placed in a barrel at 1/3 of its height, a little rotted manure is added, and 2/3 filled with water. After 2 weeks, after a pungent characteristic odor appears, the liquid fertilizer is used for its intended purpose: the concentrate is additionally diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10.

Feeding clematis with yeast

A feature of Clématis (which most novice growers are very often concerned about) is their weak budding in the first three years after planting a seedling in a permanent place in the garden. Asking why clematis does not bloom, many do not take into account the fact that in the early years all the forces of the plant go to rooting, building up additional roots and forming the ground part of the bushes. Clematis may not bloom at all if the plants do not add strength.

Yeast feeding can help young bushes bloom. Yeast is not only a source of trace elements, vitamins and beneficial microflora, but also a root formation stimulator. Feeding with yeast can lead to lush flowering of plants of any age and prevent early withering of the green parts of clematis.

Small-flowered clematis

Yeast as a top dressing is used for spraying on the leaf 2-3 times during the spring-summer season. The first foliar dressing is carried out before the beginning of budding. The solution is prepared from 100 g of live yeast, which is dissolved in 1 liter of warm water. Insist for 5-6 hours. Add another 14 liters of clean water, filter and spray the stems and leaves.

Mineral dressing

Inorganic mineral fertilizers are used at all stages of plant care. Nitrogen is used in May, at the beginning of the growing season - when growing stems and leaves. They are also needed at a time when clematis is planted in the spring in open ground. Due to the fact that these flowers require alkaline soils, it is necessary to feed them with a nitrate form of nitrogen fertilizers, which are alkaline in nature. These include sodium and calcium nitrate.

Phosphorus and potash fertilizers are used in early summer, at the budding stage and in summer, during flowering and the formation of fruit pods. But these elements acidify the soil, therefore, after their application, the plants may begin to wither and turn yellow. Plant physiology requires that these macronutrients get into them. It is impossible to stop using the whole complex of dressings.

In the case of a lack of phosphorus and potassium, the pedicels turn black, the buds do not open. The way out is liming the soil in flower beds.

Top dressing of clematis in spring with milk of lime

To reduce the acidity of the soil, a lime solution is prepared: 200 g of chalk or lime are dissolved in a bucket of water. Dolomite flour can be used. This amount of milk of lime is necessary to process 1m2 of a flower garden.The work is carried out in the spring, after removing the shelters from the plants and carrying out the first organic fertilizing. Usually, for normal flowering of young clematis, liming is sufficient once every 2 years.

Top dressing of clematis with ammonia

This method of feeding is unproductive, because during the use of ammonia, the nitrogen component of the substance rapidly evaporates. Although some amateur gardeners claim that 1 tablespoon of pharmacy ammonia diluted in 10 liters of water will help flower bushes grow a lot of stems and leaves.

What external signs can indicate that clematis lacks fertilizer

The reasons for the change in the appearance of flowers, stems, leaves, short flowering times, poor bud setting, flower stems falling off are diseases, plant pests and a lack of nutrients. The latter factor reduces the resistance of clematis bushes to pathogens, slows down the growth of vegetative organs, and reduces the generative capabilities of plants.

Signs of a lack of certain components:

• The lack of potassium is indicated by the brown edges of deciduous plates, pale color of the petals, blackening of the pedicels, and dropping of buds.
• Weak development of vegetative organs, curvature of the stems indicates a lack of calcium.
• Pale yellow stems and leaves - about a lack of nitrogen.
• A yellow mosaic pattern on green leaves indicates a magnesium deficiency.
• Necrotic dark brown spots along the stems and leaves emphasize the plant's need for boron.
• Reddish-pink leaf veins are a sign of phosphorus deficiency.

Pink streaks on the leaves indicate a lack of phosphorus in the soil.

Why clematis does not bloom

The splendor of their flowering largely depends on the proper care of clematis. Gardeners who arrange clematis flower beds in their gardens must take into account the variety and pruning group to which the plant belongs. Varieties that need to be pruned every year will not be able to grow young shoots without this procedure. Namely on them, these plants and flower buds are tied.

There are types of clematis that are not pruned for the winter. They go into hibernation with the stems that have grown over the summer. In the spring, these bushes are selectively trimmed for damaged or unnecessary stems. And the flowers will bloom on the shoots of last year. Then young shoots will appear, in the second half of summer they will bloom too. The budding ability of these plants largely depends on the conditions in which they spend the cold season.

Rules for the correct pruning of clematis

Pruning is carried out during the entire period of plant development. Such care for clematis in summer makes it possible to control the growth of bushes, the formation of shoots and, as a result, budding and flowering. All young bushes, regardless of the variety, are cut in the first spring after the first wintering of the bush in the open field - this is necessary to strengthen the strength of the plant.

Early flowering clematis, which release buds on last year's shoots in spring, are cut off after flowering ends in June, and the stems are reduced by a third of their length. Very dense bushes are thinned out - several of the oldest stems are completely removed.

Lomonosov, which bloom twice a year (in early summer and autumn), are completely pruned selectively - only weak, drying out shoots. The remaining branches are shortened. Slices are made over the nearest axillary kidney.

Clematis, which bloom all summer, are cut substantially - the old lower branches are left up to 50 cm in height, young stems should be no higher than 20 cm. Bushes growing near the supports keep stems up to 10 cm high.

Pruning clematis

Why does clematis have pale green leaves?

Pale color of clematis leaves is observed in some plant varieties. But the grower will become aware of this immediately during the acquisition of planting material. But the change in the color of the leaves in the second and subsequent years of plant life speaks of changes that have occurred in the soil. It began to lack the trace elements responsible for the formation of chlorophyll in the leaves.

It is possible to determine exactly which elements are missing only after laboratory tests. In any case, it is necessary to feed with universal fertilizers for flowering plants or use iron in a chelated form.

Pale leaves are a sign of iron deficiency

Clematis grows poorly: what to do

Just planting a beautiful flowering bush in your garden is sometimes enough for it to take root, form several shoots and release a couple of buds. Without proper care: watering, fertilizing, pruning, loosening and mulching the soil, shelter for the winter - the plant will stop growing, or even die.

When to start feeding clematis

After planting the seedling in alkaline soil, into which all the elements necessary for rooting and further development were introduced, the plants do not feed the entire first year of life. If these conditions have not been met, then feeding is carried out in the fall, when preparing the bushes for wintering. Ash and rotted compost are used, which are mixed and spread on the soil surface around the bush. Sprinkle on top with a thin layer of sand or turf soil.

Blooming clematis vines

Further, the feeding of clematis is carried out at least 4 times during the spring-summer-autumn at all stages of plant development. Spring dressing will ensure the growth of new shoots, summer dressing will accelerate the formation of buds and lush flowering. Autumn will help the bushes prepare for wintering, and then wake up successfully in the spring with the onset of warmth.

Fertilizing clematis in spring and summer

Spring feeding should provide the plant with nitrogen in a nitrate form. The roots of clematis must assimilate it, therefore, mineral fertilizers of the appropriate formulas are used. If it is impossible to use them, they turn to organic matter - poultry droppings or manure. These substances are used with caution so as not to over-acidify the soil, not to burn the roots of flowers, and not to let the plant dry out.

Summer top dressing consists of adding potassium and phosphorus to the soil. No need to ask the question of how to feed clematis in June, but use potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Before applying these formulations, measure the pH level of the soil. At high acidity, alkalinization of the soil is carried out with the help of liming.

Foliar spring feeding

Foliar dressing is carried out against the background of abundant preliminary watering of plants in the root zone. Plants are sprayed with shallow water dispersion attachments. Humidification should take place either early in the morning or in the evening in calm weather. Compositions that are used for leaf treatments are prepared on the basis of spring, rain or settled water.

Top dressing of clematis in June for lush and abundant flowering

All owners of these plants are looking forward to the summer flowering of clematis. It was at this time that clematis show their best side, forming many inflorescences. At the same time, the roots of luxurious bushes take out a huge amount of nutrients from the soil.And if in the spring a limited amount of minerals was introduced into the soil, then in June the owners will be perplexed why clematis does not bloom and think what to do.

June dressing consists in the use of complex mineral fertilizers, which include nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Plants, in addition to these elements, need boron, molybdenum, iron, manganese, sulfur. Indeed, at this time, the deciduous part of the plants continues to grow and at the same time inflorescences are formed.

Manufacturers of modern fertilizers have taken into account all these nuances and have now created special compositions BIOHYPER EXTRA "For clematis" (Biohaper Extra) TM "AGRO-X", fertilizer for clematis Agrecol. These drugs are used not only to increase the timing and abundance of flowering, but also protect plants from pests and diseases.

Lush clematis bloom

Do you need fertilizers for clematis, which is planted in a new place

The new place for the central root of the seedling will become a habitat for many years. But very soon, under normal development conditions, the lateral shoots will grow, the root zone of the bush will expand. The shoots will be replanted to a new location, which should have the same soil composition as that of the mother plant. Therefore, when planting plants in a new place, all substances that will give an impetus to the development of plants must be brought into the planting pit.

Fertilizing clematis means responsibly caring for green living organisms that live near people. Indeed, without air, water and food, neither man nor plant can survive.