The Greek word "Klema" previously denoted all climbing plants. Clematis (clematis, warthog, vine) is part of the Ranunculaceae family and is a herbaceous perennial found in the subtropical and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Depending on the variety, clematis is represented by vines, subshrubs or shrubs. Propagation of clematis plants by seeds requires special knowledge and some effort.
Features of the plant
Clematis has been cultivated in European countries since the 16th century; in Japan, the plant began to be cultivated much earlier. It is a favorite crop of numerous gardeners and is used for landscaping and decorating areas.
Shoots of herbaceous varieties die off with the onset of winter, whole-leaved and hogweed clematis become lignified, which allows them to survive for several seasons.
Different species may have both fibrous and taproot systems. The most common and unpretentious varieties to grow are Florida, President and Radar of Love.
Growing clematis from seeds
Growing clematis from seeds at home is not an easy task. There are hybrids that do not produce seed material.
Clematis are divided into three subgroups, differing in seed size and germination time:
- Woolly, purple, clematis Durand, Jacquemman and some other varieties are distinguished by large seeds that germinate unevenly over a long period of time (1-7 months).
- Chinese, six-petalled, Manchurian and whole-leaved clematis plants have medium-sized seeds that require a period of one to six months to germinate.
- Clematis with small seeds germinate amicably and quickly in 2-17 weeks.
The most preferred temperature for seed germination is +26-30 degrees. Large seeds need stratification for several months in the refrigerator at temperature conditions from +4 to +6 degrees. Small seeds are sown immediately in a greenhouse or open ground.
Landing dates
Seeds are sown at different times, depending on their size.Small seeds are usually sown from early spring to April, medium ones - in early January, large ones - in autumn. If planting was done in the fall, to ensure the safety of the seed, it is sprinkled with a layer of snow for 3 months.
Preparation of planting material
Seeds of medium and large size require preliminary preparation for sowing (stratification). This process is lengthy and can take up to 2 months. Therefore, before planting in open ground, preparation begins no later than the beginning of December. In order to speed up the germination of seeds, they are soaked for 7-11 days in water, which must be changed 2-3 times a day. Then the seeds are bubbled (treated with air) for 7-8 days.
Site selection and soil preparation
It is preferable to plant clematis in a sunny place, protected from warm and cold winds. It is not recommended to plant the plant closer than half a meter from the wall of a brick house or a solid fence. The area should be isolated from drafts that adversely affect growth rates. It is customary to plant mature sprouts in street soil from May to mid-July.
The containers are filled with a soil mixture consisting of sand, peat, and earth in identical proportions. After moistening the substrate, the seeds are evenly distributed in one layer and sprinkled with sand. The sand layer should not exceed 3 seed diameters. The crops will need to be compacted, and then cover the container with small glass or mesh.
Planting process
It is preferable to plant the plant in a mixture of nutrient soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1. Sow the seeds to a depth of 3 centimeters, sprinkle with sand and mulch the soil mixture with sawdust.The process of planting and growing seeds begins with cold stratification in the freezer. The duration of the procedure should not exceed 30 minutes.
Then the seeds are taken out, left for a couple of hours at room temperature and put back in the freezer. This algorithm is repeated three times, after which the seeds are placed on a plate, covered with polyethylene and put away in a place inaccessible to sunlight. Clematis germinates on day 10-11, at a temperature of +24...+26 degrees.
Seedling care, picking
After the seedlings emerge, you will need to provide them with good lighting, but it is important to protect the sprouts from direct sunlight. When the first leaves appear on the seedlings, they are planted in large boxes or separate pots. It is preferable to grow them at home, until the end of the last frost. To simplify the access of nutrients and prevent rotting, it is necessary to water the seedlings regularly, but moderately.
Transplantation into open ground
The seedlings are transplanted into a shady area, into loosened light open ground, with an interval of 17-22 centimeters from each other. The seedling is carefully removed from the pot or box along with a lump of earth and transplanted into the soil.
The roots need to be straightened, and a support with a height of 1.5 meters or higher should be installed near the plant. The voids are filled with fertile soil, leaving 10-11 centimeters to the edge of the hole. Clematis is watered and mulched with peat.
Flower care rules
Young plants must be pinched periodically to increase root mass and branching. It is important to regularly add soil in the root collar area as the seedling grows.The basic rules for caring for young clematis are regular watering and timely fertilization.
At first, urea is best suited for feeding, then mullein (every 2 weeks) and mineral mixtures (1.5-2 teaspoons per 8-10 liters of water).
Since large seeds are desirable prey for various rodents, if the boxes with seedlings are located outside, it is recommended to provide them with protection from pieces of glass or metal mesh.
When to collect clematis seeds
The best germination is achieved by seeds that were collected in the fall or in the first month of winter. Collect brown seeds from plants whose fruits scatter when touched.
