It's better to use your finger. Most of these meters are very inconsistent and unreliable. MPC is multi purpose compost. That's fine short term, but plants of any kind which are staying in a pot need a soil based medium, so that they retain moisture better, and have more heart. The stems also need tied in to the supports. Although clematis will wind round them, they need help when first planted. They have to be trussed up a bit for delivery. It's also important to untangle them carefully as it's easy to damage or break stems. That might be happening with yours, in which case, it's a good idea to prune them back to a healthy leaf joint
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think the varieties are Kokonoe and Taiga. They're both Floridas. I think they generally need a bit of protection - they aren't as tough as most other Group 3s. Did you read up all the info on them when you got them @briarpatchrescueHgZf_3jx ?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think the varieties are Kokonoe and Taiga. They're both Floridas. I think they generally need a bit of protection - they aren't as tough as most other Group 3s. Did you read up all the info on them when you got them @briarpatchrescueHgZf_3jx ?
Both are quite new to the market I believe so not much info on they, when I tied them in a week or so later the wilt, I have tried clip rings, soft ties and string.
If you bought them early in the year, they would also have needed some protection. All clems from good suppliers are grown in protected conditions. I don't think those Floridas like windy conditions either. It's worth taking a look at info on Thorncroft's site - I see one of them has a Thorncroft label. They will have growing advice for them, or would likely give some assistance if you contact them.
It's better to use your finger. Most of these meters are very inconsistent and unreliable. MPC is multi purpose compost. That's fine short term, but plants of any kind which are staying in a pot need a soil based medium, so that they retain moisture better, and have more heart. The stems also need tied in to the supports. Although clematis will wind round them, they need help when first planted. They have to be trussed up a bit for delivery. It's also important to untangle them carefully as it's easy to damage or break stems. That might be happening with yours, in which case, it's a good idea to prune them back to a healthy leaf joint
I use Westland John Ines 3 do you recommend something better if that’s not good enough?
John Innes is just a formula, and is a soil based medium as described earlier by Obelixx. You can add compost to it to get a suitable mix. Although many clematis need good moisture retention, they also need good drainage. If the soil is too heavy, it can hold onto moisture too much, so a mix of the two [ as in the 80/20 mentioned] avoids that. It doesn't have to be exact though - just mix some compost into the JI when filling a pot
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If it’s any consolation I’ve had three taiga die on me, luckily I took cuttings…
…one appeared to be doing very well, was in a great spot and then just died for no apparent reason..….
by contrast I also took a Montana cutting (cheap supermarket variety) left that in a 9cm pot as couldn’t think where to put It. It’s about 1.5m tall and 1 m wide, I’ve neglected it forgot to water it it’s still in a tiny pot and appears to be thriving.
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MPC is multi purpose compost. That's fine short term, but plants of any kind which are staying in a pot need a soil based medium, so that they retain moisture better, and have more heart.
The stems also need tied in to the supports. Although clematis will wind round them, they need help when first planted. They have to be trussed up a bit for delivery. It's also important to untangle them carefully as it's easy to damage or break stems. That might be happening with yours, in which case, it's a good idea to prune them back to a healthy leaf joint
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think they generally need a bit of protection - they aren't as tough as most other Group 3s.
Did you read up all the info on them when you got them @briarpatchrescueHgZf_3jx ?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's worth taking a look at info on Thorncroft's site - I see one of them has a Thorncroft label. They will have growing advice for them, or would likely give some assistance if you contact them.
Here's a link
https://thorncroftclematis.co.uk/how-to-plant-clematis-32-w.asp
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
…one appeared to be doing very well, was in a great spot and then just died for no apparent reason..….
by contrast I also took a Montana cutting (cheap supermarket variety) left that in a 9cm pot as couldn’t think where to put It. It’s about 1.5m tall and 1 m wide, I’ve neglected it forgot to water it it’s still in a tiny pot and appears to be thriving.