Representatives of the Ranunculaceae family, clematis, are popular flowers for vertical growing, decorating arches, gazebos, and fences. During flowering, the climbing shrub is completely covered with lush flowers. Gardeners love the plant for its large and beautiful flowers. But it often happens that the bush does not produce buds or drops them. Why does clematis grow poorly and not bloom? Let's look at the mistakes of novice gardeners.
Reasons for poor flowering of clematis
In case of minor failures in the care system, incorrect choice of variety and planting location, violation of agricultural practices or other additional factors, clematis stops blooming and gaining buds. Particular attention should be paid to choosing a place to plant a plant and preventive measures to care for the flower, selecting the right variety.
Improper planting and care
Clematis is a vine plant; to grow it requires support in the form of a wall, fence, or arch. The best place to plant the plant is a sunny area, protected from strong winds and drafts.
Rules for planting flowering vines:
- Loose, nutritious soil with a neutral pH; stagnation of moisture at the roots is unacceptable.
- When planting, dig a deep hole with a diameter of 70 centimeters.
- Drainage is laid at the bottom of the planting hole.
- The distance between plants is 1 meter.
- When planting, apply a mixture of mineral-organic fertilizers to each hole.
Important! When planting, the root collar of clematis should be placed 15 centimeters below ground level; the plant must be regularly hilled.
Clematis do not bloom in acidic soils. If the soil on the site is acidic, it is necessary to carry out liming using dolomite flour or shell rock. It is not recommended to plant flowering vines in swampy areas and open areas. The plant needs shade in the evening and morning. Watering is carried out at the root, without dripping liquid on the leaves and stems.
Lack of nutrients and aging of the bush
Clematis can grow in one area for more than twenty years. Around the tenth year of life, the plant begins to age, as a result of this process the diameter of the flowers and their number decrease.This process is inevitable; as a preventative measure, it is recommended to do pruning and fertilize. If these measures are not enough, then it is better to replant the clematis.
A shortened flowering period is often associated with a lack of nutrients for the plant. A flowering vine needs feeding from the second year of cultivation, otherwise the plants grow poorly and do not form buds.
Tips for fertilizing:
- in the spring, nitrogenous fertilizers are applied;
- during the period of bud set, phosphorus is needed;
- after flowering ends, the bushes are fed with organic complexes;
- Before winter, clematis are hilled and mulched with humus.
In order for the plant to have enough nutrients, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds, otherwise weeds will take most of the applied fertilizers.
Diseases and pests
The main enemies of clematis are nematodes, aphids, slugs, and mealybugs. These pests can move to the flower from other plants. Pest control and protection measures:
- spraying flowering vines with insecticides;
- collecting insects by hand, introducing poison from rodents;
- Wood ash, tobacco dust, and mustard powder are used as natural remedies.
Rust, fusarium, gray rot, alternaria are the main infections to which clematis is susceptible. As a rule, only the tops of vines suffer from fungal diseases. Ways to combat and treat infectious diseases:
- treating bushes with fungicides;
- compliance with planting deadlines;
- preventative pruning;
- moderate watering;
- shelters for the winter;
- mulching the soil with a mixture of wood ash and sand;
- preventive spraying with an aqueous solution of iodine.
To prevent diseases, it is necessary to regularly inspect plants for signs of fungal diseases and pest attacks. Watering should be done with warm water in the morning or evening.
Additional factors
Clematis may refuse to bud and bloom for the following additional reasons:
- sudden changes in ambient temperature;
- frosty, little snow winter without shelter;
- lack of regular care;
- incorrectly chosen landing site;
- variety unsuitable for cultivation in the region.
All of these factors affect the immunity and well-being of clematis. Without shelter, a flowering vine can winter only in warm southern regions.
What to do to make clematis grow and bloom?
Having found out the reason for the poor growth and flowering of clematis, it is necessary to move on to eliminating it. Errors in care are corrected; if the choice of location is poor, the plant is replanted; if there are diseases and weak immunity, the bush is fed.
Twice feeding
Between April and September the plant needs to be fed. There are two main stages of fertilization:
- before flowering (during budding);
- after flowering.
In the first stage, it is important to add nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Experienced gardeners water clematis bushes with a mixture of an infused but diluted solution of mullein or bird droppings with wood ash.
In the second stage, it is important to add a phosphorus-potassium complex; on soils with high acidity, additional watering is carried out with lime milk.
Stimulants
To help clematis during the flowering period, growth stimulants are used. The bushes become stronger, have good foliage, and are completely covered with large flowers. As a rule, humates are used. Epin and Zircon are characterized by increased efficiency.
Watering
The average frequency of watering clematis bushes is 2 times a week. 20-30 liters of warm water are poured under one plant. There is a well-known trick: do not pour water into the center of the bush; dig a small groove next to the stem, into which the flow of liquid is directed.
During periods of heat and drought, the amount of watering is increased. You should not water the plants at noon - during the period of increased solar activity.
After irrigation, loosening and mulching with peat or humus is carried out.
Trimming
Bush pruning is a necessary measure for plant care. The pruning method depends on the clematis variety. There are 3 varietal varieties of flowering vines:
- clematis blooming on last year's shoots;
- clematis blooming on new shoots formed on last year's stems;
- clematis blooming on new shoots.
Flowering shoots cannot be cut out. Before starting the procedure, the plant must be removed from its support. First of all, cut out all old and dried branches. Next, pruning is carried out according to the recommendations of the plant variety and group. Cleaned bushes are bent to the ground and covered with spruce branches or covering material for the winter.
Transfer
Frequently replanting clematis is not recommended. For about 7-10 years, the plant feels good in one place. The bush needs to be replanted immediately if the growing location is incorrectly chosen.
Transplantation is carried out only after removing the plant from its support; It is necessary to do pruning if the bush is moved in the fall. The best time to transplant is early spring.
Preventive actions
In order for flowering vines to delight gardeners with abundant and lush flowering, healthy and bright foliage, it is recommended to carry out the following preventive measures aimed at maintaining the life of the plant:
- application of organic and mineral fertilizers;
- hilling of plantings with mulching of bushes with humus;
- watering with warm water in the evening;
- treating plants with fungicides before flowering;
- sheltering bushes for the winter;
- Regular inspection of plantings for signs of fungal diseases and attacks by insect pests.
It is important to remember that the flowering vine is a heat-loving plant and needs additional shelter for the winter. The flower does not tolerate excessive moisture and stagnation of moisture at the roots. Pruning of vines must be carried out in order to stimulate flowering, as well as to give the bush a decorative shape. Frequent transplants are not recommended. The presence of support when growing clematis is mandatory.
Subject to agricultural practices and proper care, clematis will delight gardeners with lush flowering for decades.
