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Moving clematis and raspberries

rosehenderson90rosehenderson90 Posts: 83
edited September 2020 in Plants
Hello folks!

My Dad has a clematis and raspberries on trellises on the back of the house, planted by my late mum many years ago so. 

He is getting insulation put on outside the house, and it's going to be quite thick, so the clematis and raspberries will need to be moved out the way. 

Has anyone moved a climbing clematis and before - is it easy enough to do, are there any tips for doing so, and same with raspberries? 

We would basically be taking them off for the works, then putting them back on the wall when the works are done, but a bit further forward. Not sure how long the works will take either so keeping things alive during that period also a factor. 

Not sure type of clematis but it flowers in spring time. 

Should we take some cuttings too in case things die? 

Neither of us have any knowledge or experience of this but keen to keep what we can so really appreciate some tips 

Thanks everyone, 

Rose 


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You can certainly move them at this time of year. The best thing to do with the clematis is to cut it back first, as that reduces stress. Make sure you have  a large pot ready to put it in, then dig it out with as much rootball as possible and plant. Water well afterwards.
    That's better done when the ground is damp. If it's dry, you'll need to water it thoroughly beforehand  -a good bucketful at least.
    How easy it is to dig out will depend on how mature it is. Don't expect flowers for quite a while.
    You can certainly take cuttings, but it will be a long time before they become a mature plant. 

    I'd do the same procedure with the raspberry, but it's not something I've done personally.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    When does your raspberry produce raspberries? Are they ripening now, or did you pick them all in summer?

    And when do you need to be ready for the building work?

  • rosehenderson90rosehenderson90 Posts: 83
    Hi @Fairygirl,

    Wonderful thanks - that sounds do-able! It is quite mature and we will have to lift a few slabs to get into it but rather do that and keep the clematis going if we can as it has sentimental value!

    @sterelitza raspberry plant is still ripening a few now but it's reaching the end of its run I'd say. No firm timescales yet for the work, it's being done by the council, but they have begun work on the neighbouring street. It will be at least a month, maybe two. 

    Rose

  • rosehenderson90rosehenderson90 Posts: 83
    Oops tagged the wrong person above @strelitzia32 :#
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    Don't worry about that  ;).

    Okay, so it sounds like you have summer raspberries. The dilemma you have now is whether to sacrifice next year's raspberries for an easier move, or try to save next year's crop but for more hassle. Either way everything will sort itself out in 2 years.

    If you want to try and save next year's crop, remember that summer raspberries fruit on the previous year's growth. Usually you would cut back all the canes that fruited this year, and cut back all the new canes leaving 5 or 6 strong canes which will bear next year's fruit. (Cut back means, cut to ground level).

    So to try and save at least some of the crop I'd cut back all the canes to the ground except perhaps 2 or 3 new canes, then dig the plant out. Depending how long the canes are, put some bamboo sticks into the pot and tie them up for winter. Of course now you have to deal with moving potentially huge canes, but no way round that for the potential benefit of some fruit next year.

    If the new canes are too long to manage, you can cut them back to about a foot long as well. You'll lose next year's crop, but the plant will live.

    Take as much of the root system as possible. Pot it up, keep it protected and don't put it back in the ground until very early spring as you say it's going to be 2 months or more before the work is done. You need to treat it like a new plant at this point, so don't put it into soggy or frosted cold ground, but do get it back in the ground whilst it's still dormant, i.e. as early in spring as possible. 

    If you saved the canes but the plant isn't looking healthy when you replant it, cut all the canes back to about 1ft long.

    Then hopefully it'll pick up again next year. Remember that you should prune your raspberry every year to keep it productive too.

    Others may have better advice! Good luck, some of this will require you to just monitor the plant, see how it's doing, and respond accordingly.


  • rosehenderson90rosehenderson90 Posts: 83
    Hi @strelitzia32

    Wow thank you - that is very comprehensive advice and sounds very sensible! 

    It will be pretty easy to move I think (famous last words  :D) and get into a pot.

    Do you reckon it will need protection from the frost if it gets really cold?

    Best, 

    Rose
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    That's a good question, I'm not sure. Raspberries are hardy and don't normally need protection, but you're going to inadvertently put it through some trauma (and potentially cause that trauma before it goes dormant). Also remember that no matter how careful you are digging it out, you'll lose and damage many of the fine filament type roots that are just as important for the plant as the larger  ones.

    So I'd suggest that giving it a sheltered place when you've potted it is a good idea. Protecting it from strong winds and the worst of the cold can only help, especially as the roots will now be in a pot and more exposed (kind of) to the elements. But if it's not possible then don't worry too much - just try to take it out as late as possible so that it's more likely to be dormant, as that will minimize the shock.
  • rosehenderson90rosehenderson90 Posts: 83
    Hmmm yes, in this garden we are quite lucky as there are quite a few sheltered bits we can pop them and it's generally quite sheltered. 

    So on that note it all sounds very positive and we will be delighted to keep them so fingers crossed all goes well as I'm sure it will.

    Thanks @strelitzia32 and @Fairygirl for your good advice - this forum is a delight!!! 
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