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Clematis plug plants from T and M

chembluechemblue Posts: 39
in Plants
Hi

Hope you are well and keeping safe 

Following on from Bob the gardeners advice Thank you Bob. I have the pots do I use stones in the bottom and multi purpose compost or should I use John Innes or something you may recommend. Also should I put perlite on the top. Anything you can advise would be much appreciated.  How often should I water them and when should I plant out into the garden. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    How big are the plugs?
    It'll be along time before they're ready to plant. A 'garden ready' clematis is usually a couple of years old before being ready to plant out. 

    Plug plants of any kind would need potted up into small [3 inch] pots in gritty compost for now. They need to create a good root system, so don't put anything in the bottom. You can mix some perlite in with the compost, but it's not really necessary.
    Just keep them somewhere sheltered until they've grown enough roots to then be moved into a deeper pot. It will also depend on what types they are. Just don't let them dry out completely.
    Watering is dependent on lots of factors - mainly your own local conditions. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • chembluechemblue Posts: 39
    Hi. The root of my plug plant is 40mm. Bob advised to plant them in 3litre deep rose pots. Have I misunderstood. Also I have been putting stones in the bottom of pots for other plugs is this where I have been going wrong. I have not been very successful with any of my plugs. 

  • chembluechemblue Posts: 39
    I have tried watering from the top. Putting water in a tray. I just can't seem to get it right
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Link to your earlier thread here so folk have all the info
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1043050/clematis-125mm-plug-plants#latest
    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure why you're putting stones in the bottom of small pots. Plugs only need put into a slightly bigger container than the one they're already in, otherwise they're sitting in constantly damp compost which rots the roots. You then gradually pot them on into a bigger pot until they're filling a decent sized pot, and they can be planted out. That's dependent on the plant and the conditions they're going into. You wouldn't plant out a small plant in spring for instance, as it would be too vulnerable, but it would generally be fine at this time of year.  :)

    They don't sound very big - your plants. I wouldn't put them into pots quite that big just now, but it's difficult without seeing them. Is there any top growth on them? I'd put them into something about four or  five inches just now, and let them fill that before getting them into anything much bigger/deeper. 
    Perhaps @BobTheGardener has misjudged the sizes you have? I'd be worried about them being lost in a rose pot just now.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • chembluechemblue Posts: 39
    I first planted my mini plugs in biogradable pots and toilet roll centres with no stones and they didn't do well. My husband advised stones. I have probably been doing it all wrong from the start but practice makes perfect hopefully and with everyone's help ......
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The trouble with plugs is that they're very variable. They're cultured under very specific conditions, so you need to be careful when initially getting them, and be prepared to accept casualties.
    Again- it depends on the condition of them to start with, what they are, and what facilities you have to bring them on. Many of these companies just pap them out by the thousand,and they don't always do well once people get them.
    Ideally, you need the trays with small cells or individual tiny pots to grow them on. Then it's a case of keeping watch over them until they get enough roots to move them on as they grow. Lots of supermarkets sell those trays, and they usually have a lid as well. I got one years ago for seeds, and they're quite useful for that.  Plug plants are basically just a step further on from a seedling:)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • chembluechemblue Posts: 39
    Picture of my clematis plug plants 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think I'd put them in 4 or 5 inch pots just now.
    Just keep them ticking over, and you'll probably find they'll fill those in the next month or so, and you can move them into the deeper pots to grow on over autumn and develop good root systems.  :)
    You can plant them a bit deeper if they're the types that are happy with that. If you don't know what they are, just keep them at the same level.
    Some of the koreanas etc don't like being buried deeper, unlike the big flowered types.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • chembluechemblue Posts: 39
    Thank you for all your kind help. Take care and keep safe. Blessings to you 
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