Reproduction by clematis seeds: planting and care at home, growing, when to harvest

The Greek word "Klema" previously denoted all climbing plants. Clematis (clematis, warthog, willow) is a member of the Buttercup family and is a herbaceous perennial found in the subtropical and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Depending on the variety, clematis is represented by vines, shrubs or shrubs. Reproduction by seeds of a clematis plant requires special knowledge and some effort.

Features of the plant

Clematis has been cultivated in Europe since the 16th century, in Japan they began to breed a plant much earlier. It is a favorite crop of numerous gardeners and is used for landscaping and decorating areas.

Shoots of herbaceous varieties die off with the onset of winter, whole-leaved and hogweed clematis become woody, which allows them to survive for several seasons.

Different species can have both fibrous and tap root systems. Florida, President and Love Radar are considered the most common and undemanding varieties to grow.

Growing clematis from seeds

Growing clematis from seeds at home is not an easy task. There are hybrids that do not produce seed.

Clematis are divided into three subgroups, differing in seed size and germination duration:

1. Wooly, purple, Duran's, Jacqueman's, and some other varieties have large seeds that germinate unevenly for a long time (1-7 months).
2. Chinese, six-petalled, Manchurian and whole-leaved clematis plants have medium-sized seeds that take one to six months to germinate.
3. Clematis with small seeds germinate quickly and amicably in 2-17 weeks.

The most preferred temperature for seed germination is +26-30 degrees. Seeds of large sizes need to be stratified for several months in the refrigerator under temperature conditions from +4 to +6 degrees. Small seeds are sown immediately in a greenhouse or open ground.

Date of planting

Sow seeds at different times, depending on their size. Small seeds are usually sown from early spring to April, medium - in early January, large - in autumn. If the planting was made in the fall, to ensure the safety of the seed, it is sprinkled with a layer of snow for 3 months.

Preparation of planting material

Seeds of medium and large size need preliminary preparation for sowing (stratification). This process is lengthy and can take up to 2 months. Therefore, before planting in open ground, preparation begins no later than the beginning of December. In order to speed up the germination of seeds, they are soaked for 7-11 days in water, which must be changed 2-3 times a day. Then the seeds are bubbled (treated with air) for 7-8 days .

Site selection and soil preparation

Clematis is preferable to plant in a sunny place, protected from warm and cold winds. It is not recommended to plant a plant closer than half a meter from the wall of a brick house or a solid fence. The area must be isolated from drafts that adversely affect growth rates. It is customary to plant strengthened sprouts in outdoor soil from May to mid-July.

Capacities are filled with a soil mixture consisting of sand, peat, earth in identical proportions. After moistening the substrate, the seeds are evenly distributed in one layer and sprinkled with sand. The layer of sand should not exceed 3 seed diameters. Crops will need to be tamped, and then cover the container with a small glass or mesh.

Boarding process

It is preferable to plant the plant in a mixture of nutrient soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1. Sow seeds to a depth of 3 centimeters, sprinkling with sand and mulching the soil mixture with sawdust. The process of planting and growing seeds begins with cold stratification in the freezer. The duration of the procedure should not exceed 30 minutes.

Then the seeds are pulled out, left for a couple of hours at room temperature and put back in the freezer. This algorithm is repeated three times, after which the seeds are laid out on a plate, covered with polyethylene and cleaned in a place inaccessible to sunlight.Clematis germinates on days 10-11, at a temperature of +24 … +26 degrees.

Seedling care, picking

After germination, you will need to provide them with good lighting, but it is important to protect the sprouts from direct sunlight. When the first leaves appear on the seedlings, they dive into large boxes or individual pots. It is preferable to grow them at home, until the end of the last frost. To facilitate the access of nutrients and prevent decay, seedlings should be watered regularly, but sparingly.

Transplanting in open ground

Seedlings are transplanted to a shady area, in loosened light open ground, with an interval of 17-22 centimeters from each other. The seedling is carefully removed from the pot or box along with a clod of earth and transplanted into the soil.

The roots need to be straightened, and near the plant, install a support with a height of 1.5 meters and above. The voids are filled with fertile soil, while 10-11 centimeters should remain to the edge of the hole. Clematis is watered and mulched with peat.

Flower care rules

Young plants need to be pinched periodically to increase root mass and branching. It is important to regularly sprinkle the earth in the area of the root collar as the seedling grows. The basic rules for caring for young clematis are regular watering and timely fertilization.

Urea is best for top dressing at first, then mullein (every 2 weeks) and mineral mixtures (1.5-2 teaspoons per 8-10 liters of water).

Because large seeds are desirable prey for various rodents, if the seedling boxes are located outdoors, it is recommended to protect them with pieces of glass or metal mesh.

When to collect clematis seeds

The best germination are seeds that were collected in autumn or in the first month of winter. Harvest brown seeds from plants that shatter when touched.

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