P:I have been growing clematis for some time. In spring, they start to grow nicely and produce he althy green leaves. Despite the use of fungicides and insecticides, at the turn of May and June, the leaves become crimped, small and turn white. The flower buds look similar. What is the reason for this?
O:In order for clematis to grow beautifully, several basic conditions must be met from the moment of planting. Clematis requires fertile and humus soils, rich in calcium (pH 6-7) and moderately moist.They are very sensitive to drought, but also should not be planted under a gutter or eaves, where it is very wet after rain. They do not tolerate the positions blown by the wind and about the southern exposure.
The stand for clematis must be carefully prepared. You should dig a pit 60x60x60 centimeters (not smaller), on the bottom of which we arrange a drainage of small stones and gravel.Put a bucket of well-decomposed manure or compost soil for drainage.Fill the rest with garden soil, mixed with deacidified peat.
Clematis should be planted 5-10 centimeters deeper than they were growing so far. We tread the soil, water it generously and mulch it with bark, which protects the roots from overheating and drying out.It is generally accepted that the lower part of the plant should be shaded and the upper part sunny - so you can plant shallow-rooted annuals or perennials around the clematis.
Clematis require quite intensive fertilization. In the second year after planting and in the following years, in early spring, the manure should be dug around the plants at a distance of 0.5 - 1 meter from the root collar, or watered with liquid fertilizers in May-June.
Clematis in pots!
Cutting clematis promotes good propagation and flowering.After planting in early spring, trim the plants to a height of 20-30 centimeters from the ground above a pair of well-developed buds.This causes new shoots to sprout from the bottom of the bush.
In the following years, in large-flowered varieties that begin flowering early on last year's shoots, and then repeat flowering on new shoots, trim all shoots to a height of 100-150 centimeters.Late flowering clematis, in July-August, on this year's shoots should be cut low, 30-50 centimeters from the ground, over 2-3 pairs of buds
