Quick q- why could my clematis leaves here be going a pale, almost yellowy green? Watering issue (would be underwatering), mineral deficiency or lack of sunshine?
Try giving the plant a good long drink - 15 litres poured slowly so it soaks in - and then a good handful of slow release rose or tomato fertiliser gently forked in at the roots. Repeat the watering in dry spells.
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)."
Hello experts, I think I have seen mention in this thread of you buying bargain clematis from Morrisons. Are there any tips about buying “ cheap” clematis ? I have only started growing them in the last couple of years and bought from Taylor’s/Raymond Evison as I thought a novice needed to start with strong plants .
The cheap ones come in teeny pots so the trick is to put them on gradually as their roots start showing at the bottom and indicating they need more space.
Use a good quality John Innes type 3 loam-based compost mixed with up to 1/3 multi purpose for moisture retention. The nutrients in composts only last 80 days or so and clematis are hungry feeders so, as well as keeping them well watered, but not drowning, add some liquid rose or tomato fertiliser every week or two.
Keep the pots shaded as the roots don't like to cook but have the flowers and foliage up in the light to encourage growth. You lay have to keep potting them on for a year or two before they are big enough to go out in the ground.
often as not teh cheap supermarket clematis come with no label but yo can look them up on this site - https://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemlistsearch.cfm - to determine which aspect (sun, shade, partial shade) they like and their pruning group.
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)."
@Obelixx Thank you, that is incredibly helpful. I have only just discovered the joys of Morrisons’s. I am taking the view that even if I don’t have 100% success it’s still good value compared to buying the more expensive established plants ( I have taken the same view with bare root perennials which I have grown for the first time this year ). It’s also more of a learning experience .
..different experiences, but I have found that little 9cm pots of clematis planted in very early Spring, romp away and establish well.. if bought at this time of year I would be inclined to pot on.
I have 2 'Star of India', this one below was originally a 9cm purchase and planted out, it now ascends my shed but it was good in the first year, almost as good as the new one I have from a 3ltr pot which isn't quite in flower yet..
'Valour'.. might be some 'Rhapsody' showing which was planted from just a few small roots in Spring..
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I Am Happy
Caerulea Elegans hiding behind the dahlias. Looks a bit washed out in the strong sun butshe's actually a gentle lilac with green tips on the tepals.
Use a good quality John Innes type 3 loam-based compost mixed with up to 1/3 multi purpose for moisture retention. The nutrients in composts only last 80 days or so and clematis are hungry feeders so, as well as keeping them well watered, but not drowning, add some liquid rose or tomato fertiliser every week or two.
Keep the pots shaded as the roots don't like to cook but have the flowers and foliage up in the light to encourage growth. You lay have to keep potting them on for a year or two before they are big enough to go out in the ground.
often as not teh cheap supermarket clematis come with no label but yo can look them up on this site - https://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemlistsearch.cfm - to determine which aspect (sun, shade, partial shade) they like and their pruning group.
I have 2 'Star of India', this one below was originally a 9cm purchase and planted out, it now ascends my shed but it was good in the first year, almost as good as the new one I have from a 3ltr pot which isn't quite in flower yet..
'Valour'.. might be some 'Rhapsody' showing which was planted from just a few small roots in Spring..