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How to feed Clematis

DedekindDedekind Posts: 172
edited April 2021 in Problem solving
Hello,

I have two Clematis in pots (new from the garden centre) that I need to plant in the garden, but I read so many different guides on how to plant/feed that I'm feeling a bit confused.

My plan was to simply dig a hole, add some fish blood and bone there, plant the Clematis with the top of the rootball lower than it was in the pot, then re-fill with soil/MPC.

Do I need to add any more food? I was happy with my approach until I saw by chance a product called "Clematis Feed".. It's not expensive so if it's good I'll get one, but I also have FBB, slow-release rose & shrub, liquid Miracle Gro..

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Clematis are hungry, thirsty plants so beefing up the soil in their planting hole is good as is burying them deeper than they were.  make sure they are thoroughly soaked before and after planting.

    I have been growing clematis for decades using FBB, rose or tomato fertiliser and they've done very well.   I've also used clematis food of the slow release, granular kind but it's not widely available here.  Next time you see a pack, look for its NPK and trace element ratios and compare to rose or tomato feed to see if the difference is significant and worth paying for.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    edited April 2021
    Don't fill the hole with MPC, they like a nice rich soil.
    Also worth giving them a good mulch with some well rotted manure, or, garden compost, as well as putting some in the bottom of the hole.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DedekindDedekind Posts: 172
    punkdoc said:
    Don't fill the hole with MPC, they like a nice rich soil.
    Also worth giving them a good mulch with some well rotted manure, or, garden compost, as well as putting some in the bottom of the hole.

    What should I fill it with?  I have some bags of "MPC with added John Innes", will that not work mixed with the soil?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I usually mix in some well-rotted manure and/or garden compost as these will help with moisture around the roots because of their fibrous nature and the manure will feed.  If I only have garden compost or MPC I add pelleted chicken manure or BFB and then top dress with rose or tomato fertiliser granules before watering thoroughly after planting.    


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    What @Obelixx says is fine.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Mixing the compost with the soil is fine but I think digging a hole and filling it with compost alone isn't so good, that's more like growing it in a pot. But you will be mixing it and some John Innes in the compost is fine too.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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