PROBLEM WITH CLEMATIS FLORIDA ALBA PLENA

Dave75 · July 2015

I purchased this plant from a well known supplier (on line) & planted it in a 18" approx. container, with John Innes No3. in Oct last yr.

Intention to grow over arch next to pot. It is south facing, and quite well protected.

It has grown approx. 5' (grows to 10') & has about 10 flowers. Those near the base have opened but the majority are staying closed. The stem is very thin, and the leaves are dying, and have been for some time.

With all the rain etc. we are have and are having the plant looks fit for nothing.

I feel right now like cutting it back to ground level.

I added fertiliser to the soil when planted and have added feed (miracle grow!!) as required.

Any advice please.

Thanks

,

Dovefromabove · July 2015

It's still a very young plant - I'd be happy with that height in it's first year.

I'm worried that it's roots are too warm and possibly too dry - they need a cool damp root-run - this may well be causing the flowers not to open.

Dave75 · July 2015

I would have thought with the summer we are having "cool and damp" is what they are getting !!

When its not raining I do water well.

Should it only have one stem ?

Thanks

Dovefromabove · July 2015

Here in East Anglia we're in virtual drought conditions with brown lawns!!!

Did you cut it back in the spring? Cut it back to knee height every March - that way it'll grow more stems. It flowers on new growth.

Bushman2 · July 2015

If you need rain i'll send some from Scotland

Dovefromabove · July 2015

Only overnight please Bushman - don't want it in the daytime

Obelixx · July 2015

I think 18" is too small for a permanent pot for a clematis. 2' wide and deep would be my minimum.

Did you plant it deeper than it was in its original pot? This helps keep the roots cool and encourages the plant to produce extra stems.

I don't think you should expect flower power as well as growth in the first year. Try removing the spent flowers to stop it wasting energy in seed and give it a liquid feed of tomato food as well as making sure it is watered regularly. Rain is not enough for plants in pots and clematis are very thirsty, hungry plants.

Next spring, cut back its stems to about 9" and give it a generous helping of specialist clematis food and weekly waterings with liquid tomato food until the end of June with regular plain waterings in between as needed. In a pot, it is entirely dependent on you for food and water as the nutrients in the compost will all be used up in the first season. Treated well it should get bigger and better every year.

Dave75 · July 2015

"I think I planted it the same height as in the original pot, stupidly ! But I have added some stones on the surface to help keeping the roots cool.

I am fussy in watering/feeding so I think I am doing that right. ( my wife says I fuss my plants more than I do her !!!)

I will do as you suggest next spring.

Why are the leaves turning brown ?

Thanks so much for your advice.

Obelixx · July 2015

Lack of water makes leaves turn brown. Give the plant a generous soak today then let it drain and give it some food tomorrow or the next day.

Be patient. Clems can take a couple of years to get settled and I now plant all my new purchases in pots for their first year so I can coddle them before plunging them in the ground - again at a deeper depth than I had them in my pots.

Dave75 · July 2015

Thanks obelixx

Richard Hodson · July 2015

Chop it hard back now, Dave, at the same time give it a good feed of 1.1.1. fertilizer.

Then prune hard back again in Spring.

This helps create a larger root system and then more flowering stems.

Clematis florida flore pleno and its sister florida sieboldiana are best grown in pots and the pots brought into a cold greenhouse over winter and kept reasonably dry.

Not the easiest clematis to grow.

PROBLEM WITH CLEMATIS FLORIDA ALBA PLENA

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