How to grow clematis from seeds and properly care for them?

Clematis are decorative flowering plants from the Buttercup family. The first planting of clematis from seeds began in Japan, where flowering and spreading clematis has long been cultivated as a houseplant. Both species were imported from China. In Europe, they appeared in the 16th century: first clematis violet took root, after which clematis, burning, straight, evergreen, spread. In the 18th century, the list expanded, and new species appeared: virgin, curly, forest. Their flower was very large, up to 5 cm in diameter, and care and cultivation did not cause much trouble.

Clematis seeds: size and sowing time

The popularity of clematis began to grow rapidly with the emergence of large-flowered species from Asia: the clematis is spreading, flowering and woolly. The range of species has expanded, and active work has begun on the development of new varieties. Species plants reproduce vegetatively and by seeds, varietal ones only vegetatively, most often in summer, but they can be grafted onto a rootstock grown from seeds, which will be frost-resistant and more hardy than the mother plant, and it will be easier to care for it. But some varieties, such as the popular The President with large purple flowers, are able to retain their specific characteristics.

Caring for clematis is quite simple, with high decorative effect. The Tangut clematis is most easily propagated by seeds, with small white flowers that completely cover the bush in summer. Seed size varies from species to species, which has a strong influence on the cultivation of a particular variety. The time at which the seeds are planted depends on the size: the first group is sown as soon as the seeds are collected from the plant - in the fall, the second - in February, and the third - in the spring, in March - April.

It is common to cultivate such types of clematis from seeds as Tangut (Radar Love variety) and Manchurian; the President variety reproduces well through seedlings, which is easier to care for than for most varieties of the Florida group. Most small-flowered hybrids are grown by this method - planting material can be purchased in stores or obtained independently, from your own plants, choosing the largest ones.

The following groups of clematis are distinguished, depending on the size of the seeds:

1. Species with large seeds are hybrids of Jacqueman, Durand, representative of Florida hybrids - The President variety, straight, spreading, woolly and purple clematis. They germinate for a long time - up to a year.
2. Species with medium-sized seeds are Manchu, Chinese, curly, whole-leaved clematis. They can germinate up to six months, but some varieties emerge after 6 weeks.
3. Species with small seeds are Tangut (Radar Love variety), grape-leaved, gray-gray, erect clematis. They germinate quickly, sometimes after two weeks. Maximum - up to three months.

Growing clematis from seeds

Large seeds can be stratified within 3 months at temperatures up to + 5 ° C at home, for example, in the refrigerator. You need to plant them in the spring. When planting in the open field in autumn, the seed is covered with snow for a period of 3 months. Small seeds are sown in the spring directly into the ground or in a greenhouse. For better germination, they can also be stratified. In the southern regions, where the air temperature does not drop below -14 ° C, clematis is usually sown directly into the ground in the middle or late winter.Planting material of burning, Chinese Manchurian and paniculate clematis is pre-soaked for 7 days, periodically changing the water.

The cultivation of clematis begins with the selection of the soil mixture. A properly selected substrate will greatly facilitate plant care. It is better if it is a mixture of sand and nutrient soil in a 1: 2 ratio. The selected container is filled and the seeds are sown superficially, sprinkling with a small layer of sand, after which the soil must be rolled. Maintenance consists in regular watering through the pan. If the seeds are planted directly into the ground, the beds must be properly prepared for them: the distance between the rows should be at least 30 cm.

Seeds are sown to a depth of 1-3 cm, sprinkled with sand, mulch the soil with sawdust, rolled and covered with light shields. Seedlings appear in spring. Some of the clematis species grown in this way, such as Tangut, Violet and Whole-leaved, may bloom one year after planting. Large-flowered varieties such as The President can bloom for 2-3 years. If they develop correctly, they quickly build up a powerful root system, and it becomes easier to care for them.

Tip: large seeds are often attacked by rodents, therefore, if boxes with them are planned to be left outside, it is better to protect the crops with a metal mesh or cover with glass.

Sowing seeds at home

Planting and growing clematis from seeds at home begins with cold stratification in the freezer for half an hour. Then they need to be removed, left for 2 hours at room temperature, put back in the freezer, and the process repeated three times. Then the seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator for 2 hours, washed, laid out on a saucer, covered with a bag or glass and placed in a dark place. After 3-4 days, they begin to remove the package for a short while, airing the seedlings. Clematis germinates from seeds for 10 days, the temperature should be at least +25 ° C. After, they can be sown into a container.

There is another way: seeds are sown in December in boxes or pots with a moist fertile substrate. They are placed on a glazed balcony or in an unheated greenhouse. In the spring, the boxes are brought into a warm room and placed on a light windowsill. Crop care consists in regular watering. The first shoots will appear in 20 days, but sometimes this process can take the whole summer, so you need to be patient.

Care of young plants

When the seedlings grow up to two pairs of leaves, they are dived in separate pots or planted in the ground at a distance of 20 cm from each other. Caring for them consists in periodically pinching the shoots when they begin to grow - this will make it possible to actively develop the root system, and not build up the green mass. The land between the rows is loosened and mulched after each irrigation with humus and ground cover and perennial plants are planted around, for shading, so that it does not overheat and does not dry out.

The aerial part of the plant develops slowly - first, the root system is built up, and then the green shoots. Growing and caring for young clematis from seeds differs from the agricultural technology of adult vines. They need to be watered and sprayed, weeds weeded, and fed regularly and correctly: about once every 2 weeks. Ash mixed with rotted mullein and superphosphate is used as fertilizer. With this method of propagation, plants usually bloom in the second or third year, depending on the variety.

Sometimes seedlings are grown before planting in open ground so that they grow stronger and acquire a powerful root system. Only after that clematis is planted from seeds in a permanent place - these plants do not like transplanting. It is better to choose it in advance so as not to disturb the roots later. Further care of the vines is simplified: now it is necessary to water the seedlings abundantly only during dry periods, in summer.Bushes are fed once a month, alternating mineral and organic fertilizers. Most clematis need in pruning: depending on the type, it can be complete or partial. Shelter for the winter will also be required.

It is important to plant clematis correctly, choose a bright place, sheltered from the winds, with suitable nutritious soil. They do not like stagnant water, and if the groundwater is close, drainage from broken brick, expanded clay or crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the planting pit. You can fill a small hill, raising the root system so that there is no high humidity, and maintenance becomes easier. Planting begins with an examination of the roots: the patients remove it by sprinkling the damage with charcoal, straighten the roots in the pit and cover it with earth, leaving a small depression to add fresh soil as clematis develops. It is better to tie the shoots to the support immediately so that they are not broken by the wind.

Output: Clematis can be propagated vegetatively or grown from seed. The easiest way to use this breeding method is for small-flowered clematis. The easiest to grow are the Tangut (Radar of Love) and Manchurian varieties, as well as the large-flowered The President. Seeds can be of different sizes, the sowing time depends on it.

Planting large seeds should be done after cold stratification. It is important to properly care for the seedlings: water through a pallet and shade from direct sunlight. It can be planted directly into the ground when the snow falls - after 3 months shoots will appear. Caring for young plants consists of watering, regular feeding and proper pruning of shoots. Clematis will need shelter for the winter. Plants bloom from seeds in 1-3 years.