How to grow clematis from seeds and seedlings

Clematis is a popular climbing plant among gardeners. Rich greenery, bright inflorescences and a long flowering period will leave no one indifferent. This article describes how to grow a similar plant in a garden in the country, provides tips and advice for care.

Description of the flower

Clematis belongs to the Buttercup family and is a perennial herb. Depending on the variety, it looks like a climbing liana, shrub or dwarf shrub. In Russia, this plant is called prince, clematis, willow. The scientific name "Clematis" translated from Greek means "branch or shoot of grapes", clearly making it clear what such a culture looks like.

Reproduction of clematis is possible both by seed and vegetative methods. The seed method is divided into two types: sowing with seeds and growing seedlings.

Clematis

Sowing time with seeds depends on the regional location of the site. In southern regions with short and warm winters, seeds are planted in the fall. In areas with slight frosts, the sprouted clematis is covered for the winter with a layer of humus, and then snow.

How to collect and store clematis seeds

Before growing clematis from seeds for seedlings, you need to acquire seed material. Clematis seeds are purchased in a specialized store or harvested at home. On a flowering plant, you need to collect inflorescences in which the seed head has acquired a brownish tint and seeds are visible in it. Such outward signs indicate that they are ripe and dry.

Ripe clematis flowers

The collected seeds are stored in a dry room without access to sunlight. To avoid rotting, the seeds are wrapped in paper or laid out in a thin layer on a wooden surface. It is recommended to store ripe and dried seeds for up to 48 months, some varieties are less.

The size of the clematis seeds affects the timing of planting and the duration of germination. Small are considered to be 3.1-5.1 mm long and 1.6-3.2 mm wide, they are sown from the beginning of spring to April, with an average of 4.8-6 mm in length and 3.2-4.5 mm. wide - in the first half of January, large 6.5-12.5 mm long and 5-10 mm wide - in the autumn months.

Clematis seeds

Woolly, spreading, clematis of Duran, Pitcher and several other species ripen in large seeds, which germinate unevenly from one to seven months. Representatives of the Manchurian, whole-petal, six-petal and clematis from China differ in medium-sized seeds and germinate within a month or six months. Small seeds of different varieties of clematis germinate at the same time in the period from two to 17 weeks.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Another feature of clematis, in addition to the long germination period of seeds, is compliance with strict conditions of detention, such as sterilization. Boxes or cups for seedlings must be treated with a disinfectant solution, the soil for sowing is also sterilized, water for irrigation is boiled and cooled. All of these preparations increase the likelihood of healthy seeds emerging.

A mixture of sand and black soil in proportions of 1: 2 is poured into cups treated with a disinfectant solution by about three quarters. Clematis seeds are scattered on a thoroughly watered mixture, covered with a layer of 1-2 cm of black soil or river sand. This depth of the seeds is optimal, which will allow them to germinate on time.

The top layer should also be watered sparingly. Then the seeds are covered with a glass glass, which will maintain the necessary moisture and high temperature for germination.

Watering should be moderate and regular. Therefore, this procedure is recommended to be carried out through trays into which water is poured, or using a rubber pear, so that the seeds are not washed out of the soil. To maintain optimal humidity, the glass beaker is removed for a couple of hours daily.

Large seeds need stratification for several months on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at a positive temperature of 4-6 ° C. Small seeds are planted directly into the ground or greenhouse.

Seedlings of clematis

After the plant has sprouted and acquired two pairs of leaves (the first two leaves are called cotyledons, the next two are already real leaves), the clematis seedlings are planted in a greenhouse, large pots or open ground. Planting is done in spring, after the threat of night frosts has been minimized.

How to plant clematis seedlings in open ground

The seeds have sprouted, the seedlings have grown stronger, now you can plant the plant in open ground. The place for the vine is chosen based on the following parameters:

• the amount of sun rays;
• soil characteristics;
• wind protection;
• the ability to install a support.

Planting clematis

Almost all varieties of clematis, including clematis Helios, prefer open sunny areas. In the shade, the plants grow into greenery with a minimum of flowers. Unlike greenery, the root system needs a shade, which is created when planting low-growing plants at the roots of clematis.

Perennial vines are recommended to be grown on fertile, slightly alkaline soil. Loose soil such as loam and sandy loam is also the best option for planting due to natural drainage.

Vines are planted at a distance of 0.5 m from the future support, for example, the walls of a house on the east or west side, in order to provide the roots with conditions for development.

In the selected area, seedlings or pre-germinated cuttings are planted at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other in order to ensure in the future a free space of at least 0.7 m between adult plants. The same applies to planting clematis near trees and shrubs - at least 2 m. If clematis is planted in dense plantings of other crops, the depression under the root system must be insulated with roofing material.

Care and feeding

It is recommended to water young vines 2 times a week in the evening with water, evenly irrigating around the plant, adults - less often. In no case should water be poured under the clematis root, as there is a possibility of damage to it. Loosening is a must after watering. Mulching with sawdust or moss avoids overheating the roots and maintains the moisture they need.

Top dressing

If the plant grows slowly, but blooms less and less, then you can feed it. During the period of greenery formation, nitrogen fertilization is recommended.After the first buds have appeared, the soil is fertilized with potassium and phosphorus-containing fertilizers. In autumn, it is preferable to use superphosphate in granules.

Several varieties of clematis

Clematis, planted in compliance with all conditions, becomes an adornment of any garden for many years to come. The luscious green of the creeper will give shade on a hot day, and the bright flowers will delight the eye throughout the warm period. And the ability of the plant not to pollinate from other varieties will diversify the site in one small interval.