Clematis Cuttings

[Rebecca]

I took 7 - 8 cuttings from three of my Clematis today, waiting to get a few from 'Rouge Cardinal', not quite as far along as the others were.

nyhow, I got a bucket of coarse builders sand from out front, and used it over a couple of inches of potting soil, thinking the potting soil will help wick water up to the sand, or at least keep the huumidity high under the cuttings. All of the cuttings were dipped in a powdered rooting hormone.

Right now the cuttings are sitting in a small amount of water in a very large tray on the patio. Tomorrow I will try to get to one of the large aquariums, put the potted cuttings in a waterproof seed starter tray and then set the aquarium over them, instant mini-greenhouse. I will probably set this up on the wire rack on the patio. I've used these particular trays under the aquariums before and they are a perfect fit, just enough clearance for good air circulation. I'll use the other aquariums to set over the daylily seeds I start in pots outside, hopefully I will get that done this week also.

I don't know if this technique will work for the Clematis cuttings or not; it has worked for other things, so felt it was worth a shot. Wish all of the Clematis were mature enough to take cuttings from; oh well, if this works I can get more cuttings next year.


Rebecca

[Dazed_Lily]

Makes sense to me. I love all the improvising; that's what makes it all the more interesting. Gee, I wish I had thought about cuttings when I tried to force one of my clematis around a bamboo stake and it kinda snapped and then after all the wind..kinda fell off. I should have rooted it if Ihad thought to look for it. I have since learned that clematis want something fine , like wire or netting to twine around. Keepus posted on how well they take.

[Rebecca]

"Tanked" the cuttings today and saw many more that I should take from 'Polish Spirit' as they are on taller growth that is going to be cut back. Might get a chance to do those on Thursday, if it doesn't storm too much. Can also prune the overgrowth off too. This cultivar really does try to take over and can be a chore to keep it w/in bounds! But it is such a pretty thing and blooms all season long! Need to put something around the RedBud Tree for 'Dr. Rupple' to climb on, I'm thinking about a legnth of plastic fencing, it's gray and won't look too bad! I'll also be pruning back my Summer Snowball Bush which will give 'Molly Mosier' more sunshine and it won't have to climb so hig beore setting buds. Other ones need to be secured to their stakes/trellises. Haven't seen any signs of the litle one out in the front bed yet, but I keep watching for it so I can dig it up and put it in a better place.

All three of the potted ones have come through the winter in great shape!


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

"Tanked" is sort of what I did when I started them.

Rebecca, I could trace this one to a pot, but there is no label. I am getting so frustrated about the label thing. They can't just disintegrate.

Anyway, any ideas? I have tried any new ones in the last couple of years, so I haven't a clue. This is its first time to bloom for me, I think... The bloom is not distorted. The wind is blowing.

[Ann B.]

Awe, shucks!

I moved the sprinker, then I saw it. A dark purplish red bloom. It is not with the other clematis. It's sort of in my 'doctoring' area where I am watching plants closer because they are not growing as fast. No label...

Oh, well! Hopefully, the bloom will survive the sprinkling, and I can take a picture tomorrow.

[Rebecca]

Ann,

your deep maroon looks similiar to 'Rouge Cardinal', of course that isn't the only variety with that coloration! There's one the is "Nior" something or something "Nior" and I'm sure several others in all bloom periods. Whoever this one if it is gorgeous!

Stripped 20 - 30 more cuttings from 'Polish Spirit' and another 20 +/- from 'Nelly Mosier' yesterday and just stuck them into 14-inch buckets, sans any rooting powder.

Looks like 'Lilac Wonder' will have a few new growths I can tke from it and from 'Asao' and possibly from 'Snow Queen' too. No sign of growth from the one out in front.

Warmish day and cool nights should help to encourage rooting if they are going to. I will have to move these newest cuttings to a more protected location, but need to lable them first!

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

My blooms are more gorgeous than ever, but they have taken several years to get to this point. Of course, they have had some disasters to overcome.

Still, I am pleased. Keep us posted on how well your cuttings are doing.

Here is the purple one. Not a very clear pic, but the best that I could do today. If I can, I will try again tomorrow. The coloration is correct, and that is the hardest part with dark reds and purples.