How to feed clematis in autumn: the best fertilizers for flowers

The question of how to feed clematis in the fall is quite complicated. There are many factors to consider when choosing a feeding scheme. The structure and acidity of the soil, the age of the plant, its variety play a role. For abundant and long flowering top dressing is necessary. The best effect is achieved with the complex use of mineral and organic fertilizers.

How to tell if a clematis is lacking fertilizer?

The appearance of an ornamental plant indicates the quality of care and soil fertility. For the rapid growth of green mass, the formation of buds, flowering, he needs micro and macro elements. To understand which nutrient is missing, you can by external signs.

Potassium deficiency symptoms:

edges of old leaves turn brown;
pedicels, peduncles turning black-brown;
buds first wilt, then die off;
flower color fades.

Clematis cultivars (Ville le Lyon) are more likely to suffer from potassium deficiency.

Its deficiency impairs the synthesis of organic substances at the cellular level, leading to inadequate supply of moisture to tissues.

Calcium is used by the plant to neutralize acids and build cells. Deformed shoots with softened ends are a sign of calcium deficiency.Signs are clearly manifested during the period of intensive growth of the vegetative mass.

Chlorosis - yellow leaves, mosaic pattern, necrotic spots on the leaf plates indicate magnesium deficiency.Its deficiency affects flowering. The color of the flowers turns pale, they become smaller. Magnesium deficiency is encountered in gardens with sandy and sandy loamy soil. Usually signs appear towards the end of flowering or after it.

If young leaves turn yellow, it means that the plant lacks sulfur. Chlorosis is also observed with iron deficiency. In spring, the plant suffers from temporary chlorosis. The reason is the cold soil and, in connection with this, the weak work of the roots. Chronic chlorosis is observed in perennials growing on soils with an alkaline reaction.

After liming the soil, zinc deficiency may occur. In clematis, it is manifested by a reduction in internodes (length), cessation of growth. After the introduction of organic matter (humus, fresh manure), signs of copper deficiency may appear. The plant's redox processes worsen.

When to start feeding clematis

Scheduled top dressing of clematis is carried out in spring, summer and autumn, unscheduled - when symptoms of nutrient deficiency appear. Thanks to the regular application of fertilizers, abundant and long flowering of varietal clematis is achieved. The systemic use of fertilizers increases the immunity of the perennial.

Spring top dressing

In the spring, 1-2 feedings are enough, carried out with an interval of 2 weeks. At the beginning of the growing season, when the soil warms up, feed under the root with infusion of mullein or bird droppings. Urea can be added to it no more than 1 tbsp. l. per 10 liter bucket.

The second dressing should be carried out on the leaf, after the shoots grow back. Solution for spring foliar feeding of clematis:

water 1 l;
urea 3 g.

Summer feeding

In June, flowers are fed with fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium.For signs of potassium deficiency, potassium sulfate is used. During or after flowering, the bushes are sprayed with magnesium sulfate. Such top dressing is needed for clematis growing on sandy and sandy loamy soil. In August, it is better to use Fertika Autumn complex fertilizer.

Fertilization in autumn

In September, all fertilizers are applied dry. During the winter, soil microorganisms will process them into a form more accessible to plants. Autumn top dressing should not stimulate the growth of shoots. Apply to the soil:

bone meal, it serves as a supplier of phosphorus, calcium;
ash, it contains potassium and phosphorus, their clematis will spend on the formation of roots and budding.

Types of fertilizers for clematis

Flower growers use organic and mineral fertilizers in their practice. Alternate top dressing, this improves the absorption of nutrients by clematis.

Mineral

It is easier to use complex mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Many flower growers use Fertika. Suitable for flower crops:

"Fertik Wagon 2 Spring-Summer";
Fertika Autumn.

The content of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), K (potassium) is presented in optimal ratios. They meet the needs of an ornamental plant at different stages of the growing season.

Nitrogen

In floriculture, nitrogen in the soil is replenished with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. They are introduced into the soil in 2 ways:

dry (granules);
liquid (fertilizer solution).

The solution is prepared exactly according to the instructions. The granules are scattered over the surface of the soil and watered abundantly. For fertilizing clematis with nitrogen, you can use:

urea;
ammonium nitrate;
ammophos.

Phosphoric

Most often gardeners use superphosphate. It contains about 20% phosphoric acids. The fertilizer is produced in the form of water-soluble granules. They can be used dry or prepared in an aqueous solution. Apply to acidified soils:

phosphate rock (P=25%);
bone meal (P=35%).

Potash

Potash fertilizers may contain chlorine (potassium chloride). Clematis react poorly to chloride compounds. In spring, flowers are recommended to be fed with potassium nitrate, and after flowering, apply potassium sulfate.

Organic

The use of organic fertilizers does not harm the soil microflora. They are used by almost all gardeners due to their availability and low cost.

Dung

Dung (mullein) contains all the essential plant nutrients. A large proportion is phosphorus and nitrogen, there is also potassium, which is necessary for clematis for abundant flowering. Manure as an organic fertilizer is needed in the spring.

An infusion is prepared from it:

take a 10L bucket;
fill it with 5 parts water, 1 part fresh mullein;
cover with a tire, leave for 7 days, stir every day.

After a week, filter the liquid, add water to the bucket. Should be 10 liters. This is a concentrate. To feed clematis, mullein infusion is diluted with water 1 to 10. 8-10 liters are poured under 1 bush.

Bird droppings

Usually use dry chicken manure. The percentage of minerals in it is higher than in mullein.The use of chicken infusion at times increases the fertility of the soil. 15 parts of water are added to 1 part of the litter, insisted for at least a week. The fertilizer contains a lot of nitrogen, so it is used only in spring and early summer.

Folk remedies

Folk recipes do not lose their relevance among gardeners. Despite their simplicity and low cost, they bring real benefits to ornamental plants.

Yeast

Yeast contains proteins, minerals, amino acids. Root yeast nutrition stimulates the growth of beneficial soil bacteria. In clematis, it stimulates the growth of roots, strengthens the immune system.

Clematis are fed with yeast in the spring, but only after the soil has warmed up to 12-15 °C. Fertilizer recipe for 70 l barrel:

1 bucket of chopped herbs;
0.5 kg dry bread;
500g fresh yeast;
water.

Insist 2 days. To feed clematis, the infusion is diluted with water 1: 5.

Ammonia

In ammonia, nitrogen is in a form accessible to the flower. It is added to water and root dressing is carried out. For 10 liters of water, 1 tbsp is enough. l. ammonia. The dosage should not be exceeded. With an overdose of nitrogen in clematis, the green mass grows to the detriment of flowering. Overfed plants are more likely to suffer from fungal diseases.

Milk of Lime

This type of fertilizer is used by all flower growers. It loosens the soil. Prepare milk of lime from 10 liters of warm water, 150 g of chalk, 100 g of ash. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Apply the product during May or June.

Fertilization rules

When planting, fertilizers are applied to the soil, which the plant consumes in the first year of life. Root top dressing is included in the scheme of plant care at the age of 2 years or more. During the season they need to be fed at least 5 times. Only in this case there will be abundant flowering.

Feeding scheme

In the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, clematis need nitrogen. In May, they are fed with mullein infusion, adding 1 tbsp. l. urea. Plants need potassium before and during flowering. In June, before the formation of buds, they are fed 2 times:

under the root liquid fertilizer from 10 liters of water, 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate, 10 g Agricola;
on the sheet using the "Bud" tool.

When mass flowering is over, clematis is fertilized with complex mineral fertilizers:

Agricola;
"Kemira";
"Fertika Summer".

Feed every 2 weeks. In August, plants begin to prepare for winter. Feed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Nitrogen is not needed at this time.

Foliar Fertilizers

Spraying clematis with liquid fertilizers is carried out when symptoms of nutrient deficiency appear. Foliar dressings are assimilated by flowers faster than root dressings. The effect of applying liquid fertilizers comes after 5 hours.

Clematis respond well to drug feeding:

Aquarin;
"Mortar" (for flowering plants);
"Master".

Signs of too much fertilizer

In the absence of an exact feeding plan, the chaotic use of all types of fertilizers, clematis show symptoms of an excess of one or another nutrient.With an overdose of potassium, the old leaves turn yellow, the internodes are shortened, fewer buds are formed, the color of the flowers changes for the worse. Clematis slow growth.

Excess calcium causes early aging of clematis. Leaves fall, flowering is scarce. With an excess of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, boron, manganese are absorbed worse. The plant is showing signs of deficiency.

Damaged roots, their slow growth, the formation of root lobe are symptoms of excess magnesium. Due to problems with the roots, clematis receives less nutrients, which slows down the growth of shoots. Excess magnesium impairs the absorption of iron, potassium, calcium.

Symptoms of excess iron appear in clematis growing in acidic soil:

leaves turn dark blue or blue-green;
shoot growth slows down;
part of the leaves die off.

Common gardener mistakes

When growing large-flowered clematis, flower growers often make the mistake of alkalizing the soil. Mulch it with ash or sand. They use milk of lime as a fertilizer.

Hybrid forms of Viticella, Integrifolia, large-flowered varieties like acidic soil, alkaline varieties prefer:

oriental;
tangutika;
alpina;
montana.

Spring planting of seedlings in cold soil is bad for the development of the root system. The plant experiences less stress if the soil temperature is 18-20 °C at a depth of 20 cm. A common problem for beginner flower growers is that clematis stops growing in June, its growth does not exceed 20-30 cm. The reason is poor care. The problem is solved by increased watering and 2-3 nitrogen fertilizing.

In the hot summer, due to rare watering, the bushes lose their decorative effect, their tops dry out. It is necessary to provide the plant with regular watering. Twisted leaves can signal an aphid infestation. Spraying with infusion of tobacco helps from it. They are held every 3 days.

In the care of clematis, you need to remember simple rules. They need nitrogen in spring and potassium and phosphorus in summer. Folk remedies, mineral and organic fertilizers will help to achieve long-term flowering.