How can you feed clematis in the fall, the best fertilizers for flowers

The question of what to feed clematis in the fall is quite complex. When choosing a feeding scheme, many factors need to be taken into account. The structure and acidity of the soil, the age of the plant, and its variety play a role. For abundant and long-lasting flowering, fertilizing is necessary. The best effect is achieved with the combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers.

How to determine that clematis lacks fertilizer?

The appearance of an ornamental plant indicates the quality of care and soil fertility. For the rapid growth of green mass, the formation of buds, and flowering, it needs micro- and macroelements. You can understand which nutritional element is missing by looking at external signs.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency:

• the edges of old leaves turn brown;
• pedicels and peduncles become black-brown;
• the buds first droop and later die;
• the color of the flowers fades.

More often, abundantly flowering varieties of clematis (Ville le Lyon) suffer from potassium deficiency.

Its deficiency impairs the synthesis of organic substances at the cellular level and leads to insufficient supply of moisture to tissues.

The plant uses calcium to neutralize acids and build cells. Deformed shoots with softened ends are a sign of calcium deficiency. Signs clearly appear during the period of intensive growth of the vegetative mass.

Chlorosis - yellow leaves, mosaic pattern, necrotic spots on leaf blades indicate magnesium deficiency. Its deficiency affects flowering. The color of the flowers fades and they become smaller. Magnesium deficiency is encountered in gardens with sandy and sandy loam soil. Symptoms usually appear towards the end of flowering or after it.

If young leaves turn yellow, it means the plant lacks sulfur. Chlorosis is also observed with iron deficiency. In spring, the plant suffers from temporary chlorosis. The reason is cold soil and, therefore, weak root function. Chronic chlorosis is observed in perennials growing in alkaline soils.

After liming the soil, a zinc deficiency may occur. In clematis, it is manifested by a reduction in internodes (length) and cessation of growth.After adding organic matter (humus, fresh manure), signs of copper deficiency may appear. The plant's redox processes deteriorate.

When to start fertilizing clematis

Scheduled fertilizing of clematis is carried out in spring, summer and autumn, unscheduled fertilizing is carried out when symptoms of nutrient deficiency appear. Thanks to regular application of fertilizers, abundant and long-lasting flowering of varietal clematis is achieved. Systemic use of fertilizers increases the immunity of perennials.

Spring feeding

In spring, 1-2 feedings, carried out at intervals of 2 weeks, are sufficient. At the beginning of the growing season, when the soil warms up, feed the roots with an infusion of mullein or bird droppings. You can add no more than 1 tbsp of urea to it. l. for a 10 liter bucket.

Apply the second feeding along the leaves after the shoots grow. Solution for spring foliar feeding of clematis:

• water 1 l;
• urea 3 g.

Summer feeding

In June, flowers are fed with fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium. If there are signs of potassium deficiency, potassium sulfate is used. During or after flowering, the bushes are sprayed with magnesium sulfate. Clematis growing on sandy and sandy loam soil need this feeding. In August, it is better to use the Fertika Autumn complex fertilizer.

Fertilizing in the fall

In September, all fertilizers are applied in dry form. Over the winter, soil microorganisms will process them into a form more accessible to plants. Autumn feeding should not stimulate shoot growth. Add to the soil:

• bone meal, it serves as a supplier of phosphorus and calcium;
• ash, it contains potassium and phosphorus, which clematis will use for the formation of roots and the formation of buds.

Types of fertilizers for clematis

Flower growers use organic and mineral fertilizers in their practice. Alternate feedings, this improves the absorption of nutrients by clematis.

Mineral

It is easier to use complex mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Many gardeners use Fertika. Suitable for flower crops:

• "Fertika Universal 2 Spring-Summer";
• "Fertika Autumn".

The content of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), K (potassium) is presented in optimal proportions. They meet the needs of ornamental plants at different stages of the growing season.

Nitrogen

In floriculture, nitrogen in the soil is replenished using nitrogen-containing fertilizers. They are introduced into the soil in 2 ways:

• dry (granules);
• liquid (fertilizer solution).

The solution is prepared exactly according to the instructions. The granules are scattered over the surface of the soil and watered abundantly. To feed clematis with nitrogen you can use:

• urea;
• ammonium nitrate;
• ammophos.

Phosphorus

Most often, gardeners use superphosphate. It contains about 20% phosphoric acids. The fertilizer is produced in the form of water-soluble granules. They can be used dry or prepared as an aqueous solution. Add to acidified soils:

• phosphate rock (P = 25%);
• bone meal (P = 35%).

Potash

Potash fertilizers may contain chlorine (potassium chloride). Clematis reacts poorly to chloride compounds. In spring, it is recommended to feed flowers with potassium nitrate, and after flowering, add potassium sulfate.

Organic

The use of organic fertilizers does not harm soil microflora. They are used by almost all gardeners due to their availability and low cost.

Manure

Manure (mullein) contains all the essential plant nutrients.The largest share is made up of phosphorus and nitrogen, there is also potassium, which clematis needs for abundant flowering. Manure is needed as an organic fertilizer in the spring.

An infusion is prepared from it:

• take a bucket with a capacity of 10 liters;
• fill it with 5 parts water, 1 part fresh mullein;
• cover with a lid, leave for 7 days, stir every day.

After a week, filter the liquid and add water to the bucket. It should be 10 liters. This is a concentrate. To feed clematis, mullein infusion is diluted with water 1 to 10. 8-10 liters are poured under 1 bush.

Bird droppings

Usually dry chicken manure is used. The percentage of minerals in it is higher than in mullein. Using chicken infusion significantly increases soil fertility. Add 15 parts of water to 1 part of litter and leave for at least a week. The fertilizer contains a lot of nitrogen, so it is used only in spring and early summer.

Folk remedies

Traditional recipes do not lose their relevance among gardeners. Despite their simplicity and cheapness, they bring real benefits to ornamental plants.

Yeast

Yeast contains proteins, minerals, and amino acids. Root yeast feeding stimulates the proliferation of beneficial soil bacteria. In clematis, it stimulates root growth and strengthens the immune system.

Clematis are fed with yeast in the spring, but only after the soil has warmed to 12-15 °C. Fertilizer recipe for a 70 liter barrel:

• 1 bucket of chopped herbs;
• 0.5 kg of dry bread;
• 500 g fresh yeast;
• water.

Leave for 2 days. To feed clematis, the infusion is diluted with water 1:5.

Ammonia

In ammonia, nitrogen is in a form accessible to the flower. It is added to the water and root feeding is carried out. For 10 liters of water, 1 tbsp is enough. l.ammonia. The dosage should not be exceeded. When there is an overdose of nitrogen in clematis, the green mass grows to the detriment of flowering. Overfed plants are more likely to suffer from fungal diseases.

Lime milk

This type of fertilizer is used by all gardeners. It deoxidizes the soil. Prepare lime milk from 10 liters of warm water, 150 g of chalk, 100 g of ash. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Apply the product during May or June.

Rules for applying fertilizers

Fertilizers are added to the soil during planting, which the plant uses in the first year of life. Root feeding is included in the care regimen for plants aged 2 or more years. They need to be fed at least 5 times during the season. Only in this case there will be abundant flowering.

Feeding scheme

In the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, clematis need nitrogen. In May they are fed with mullein infusion, adding 1 tbsp. l. urea. Plants need potassium before and during flowering. In June, before the formation of buds, they are fed 2 times:

• under the root with liquid fertilizer from 10 liters of water, 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate, 10 g of Agricola;
• on the sheet using the “Bud” product.

When mass flowering ends, clematis are fertilized with complex mineral fertilizers:

• "Agricola";
• "Kemira";
• "Fertika Summer".

Feeding is carried out every 2 weeks. In August, plants begin to prepare for winter. Feed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Nitrogen is not needed at this time.

Foliar fertilizers

Spraying clematis with liquid fertilizers is carried out when symptoms of nutrient deficiency appear. Foliar fertilizers are absorbed by flowers faster than root fertilizers. The effect of using liquid fertilizers occurs after 5 hours.

Clematis responds well to feeding with the following preparations:

• "Aquarin";
• “Solution” (for flowering plants);
• "Master".

Signs of Excess Fertilizer

In the absence of an exact fertilizing plan and the chaotic use of all types of fertilizers, clematis exhibit symptoms of an excess of one or another nutrient. With an overdose of potassium, old leaves turn yellow, internodes are shortened, fewer buds are formed, and the color of flowers changes for the worse. Clematis growth slows down.

Excess calcium causes early aging of clematis. Leaves fall, flowering is sparse. With excess calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, boron, and manganese are less absorbed. The plant shows signs of their deficiency.

Damaged roots, their slow growth, and the formation of a root lobe are symptoms of excess magnesium. Due to problems with the roots, clematis receives less nutrients, which slows down the growth of shoots. Excess magnesium impairs the absorption of iron, potassium, and calcium.

Symptoms of excess iron appear in clematis growing in acidic soil:

• the leaves acquire a dark blue or blue-green color;
• shoot growth slows down;
• some leaves die.

Common mistakes gardeners make

When growing large-flowered clematis, gardeners often make the mistake of alkalizing the soil. Mulch it with ash or sand. Milk of lime is used as fertilizer.

Hybrid forms of viticella, integrifolia, large-flowered varieties love acidic soil, prefer alkaline varieties:

• oriental;
• tangutika;
• alpina;
• Montana.

Spring planting of seedlings in cold soil has a bad effect on the development of the root system. The plant experiences less stress if the soil temperature at a depth of 20 cm is 18-20 °C.A common problem for beginning gardeners is that clematis stops growing in June, its height does not exceed 20-30 cm. The reason is poor care. The problem is solved by increased watering and 2-3 nitrogen fertilizing.

In hot summers, due to infrequent watering, the bushes lose their decorative properties and their tops dry out. It is necessary to provide the plant with regular watering. Curled leaves can signal an aphid infestation. Spraying with tobacco infusion helps. They are carried out every 3 days.

When caring for clematis, you need to remember simple rules. In the spring they need nitrogen, and in the summer potassium and phosphorus. Folk remedies, mineral and organic fertilizers will help to achieve long-term flowering.