Propagating Clematis + Pests and Diseases of Clematis.

Propagation of climbing species

Propagating clematis of the climbing species can be done by taking stem cuttings 10cm long, of half ripened wood in July with two buds at the base. Insert 3 cuttings in a 9cm pot in a mixture of equal parts (by volume) of peat and sand and place in a propagation unit with a base temperature of 15-18 deg C.

Propagating clematis of the species type can be raised from seeds sown in October in pots in a seed compost. Placed in a cold frame or greenhouse, these should have germinated by the following spring when they can be pricked out singly into 9cm pots when they can be plunged outdoors until planting in there permanent positions in October.

Layering is not only the surest way to succeed when propagating clematis, it is also the easiest way to produce new clematis plants from old. Begin at the end of the summer by filling a 10cm pot with potting compost and sink it into the soil near the base of the parent plant, its rim being at soil level.

Gently bend down a sturdy stem to the flowerpot centering a healthy pair of leaves on the surface of the compost, split the stem carefully below a leaf node and dip in hormone rooting powder then peg the stem down to the top of the pot using a piece of bent wire and cover the stem and pot over with a good layer of compost.

Keep moist and do not disturb until the following March when the stem should have rooted and be ready for planting out as any other clematis.

Propagating clematis of herbaceous species

Taking 8cm basal cuttings is the way of propagating clematis of this type in April or May, inserting the cuttings in a 50/50 mixture of peat and sand and placed in a cold frame out of the sun. When rooted pot singly into 9cm pots and plunge outdoors until October when the plants can be placed in their permanent positions.

Pests and Diseases

Young shoots can be eaten by slugs so vigilance, especially at the start of the year is important, using slug pellets, or if you are more environmentally aware then the use of some sharp grit, sea shells, ash or similar placed around the base of the plants may deter most of these pests.

Aphids attack the tips of the new shoots and can be controlled by the use of a systemic insecticide. Organic sprays are also available but will have to be used on a more regular basis.

The other pest can be Earwigs which hide in crevices and eat ragged holes out of petals and leaves.

Clematis wilt is a disease which only affects the plant above ground level, but which seems to completely kill off the plant. The plant will grow again from the base the following year. Treating the ground around the plant in spring with a fungicide may help.

Powdery Mildew shows as a white powdery coating on the leaves and sometimes on the flowers. If this happens regularly on the same plant then either move the plant or spray the foliage with a fungicide on a regular basis,(probably every two weeks), to help control this disease.

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