Clematis is a creeper with wonderful blooms, appreciated by many gardeners, which has the advantage of beautiful shapes and colors, as well as a very long life. Unfortunately, clematis can be very expensive to buy in a store and difficult to propagate without the proper knowledge. With the right preparation, however, you can make arrangements to germinate fresh clematis seeds or produce clematis plants from cuttings in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Germinate the Seeds
Step 1. Learn the germination process
It is true that seed germination is very basic, but clematis has special needs for care and requires a lot of attention to propagate from seeds. Surprisingly, clematis seeds take 12 to 36 months to germinate. Cross seeds take much longer than cultivated varieties, and this means that you will probably have to wait almost three years for cross seeds to germinate. Keep this in mind when starting a clematis project, and you will likely have a while to wait before you can eventually transplant your clematis.
- You will need to pay attention to the seeds almost daily to allow them to germinate.
- You'll be more likely to see clematis germinate if you plant multiple seeds at once.
Step 2. Prepare the materials you need
In addition to a long germination period, clematis seeds also require severe growing conditions. It is imperative that all of your materials are sterilized and prepared for the sole purpose of planting clematis. You will need seed trays, garden disinfectant, sterilized soil for starting the seeds, a clean glass and water to moisten the soil. Use disinfectant to clean the seed trays and the glass, otherwise you run the risk of spreading disease on delicate seeds.
Step 3. Get the seeds
If you don't buy them in a store, you will need to identify and harvest thriving seeds from an existing clematis. To do this, wait for the seed heads (the fluffy / hairy part of the flower) to turn brown and the seeds are exposed, as this means that the seeds are fully ripe and dry. Gently remove them from the seed head and store them in a dry, cool area.
- Do not put the seeds in plastic bags, as moisture can build up inside and cause rot. Instead, put them in a paper bag or box.
- Keep in mind that the seeds of a hybrid clematis will not form flowers that resemble those of the parents.
Step 4. Prepare the seed trays
After you have sterilized the seed trays, fill them with the sterilized mixture for starting the seedlings. This typically contains little soil and is mostly a mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite, which helps the seeds germinate. Fill the seed trays about ¾ of the volume with the mixture and wet thoroughly with water.
Step 5. Plant the seeds
Place each individual seed in a bowl on top of the grow mix. When you have them all in place, cover them with about 3mm of grow mix or sand. Water the seeds abundantly so that the soil is moist but not soggy, and then place the glass over the seeds. The glass will help maintain humidity and keep the temperature higher, which is preferable for germinating clematis seeds.
Step 6. Move the seeds to the best position
You will get the best results by placing the seeds in a shaded position, with a temperature between 15, 5 and 21 ° C. When winter comes, you should have the seeds undergo a natural freeze / freeze cycle, which will strengthen them. Place them in a shaded area outdoors during the winter to aid this process.
Step 7. Take care of your seeds
As time goes on, you will need to take extra care of the seeds so they can germinate rather than dry out or rot. Make sure the growing mix you used to plant them is always moist, and remove the glass for a few hours each day to prevent too much moisture and the seeds from rotting.
Step 8. Wait for the seeds to sprout
As noted above, the specific amount of time it will take for seeds to germinate will vary greatly depending on the type of clematis you have planted. There are two groups of leaves that you should pay attention to that will form on the seedling: the first series and the true series. The first set, also called 'seed leaves', is the first pair of leaves that will develop from seed. The second set of leaves is called 'true leaves' and is a sign that the seeds are ready to be planted outdoors.
Step 9. Transplant the seedlings
When the true leaves appear, you will need to transplant the seedlings. You can choose to move them to a larger pot, or plant them outside. Either way, move them to the new location being very careful, especially taking care not to damage the delicate roots. If you choose to move them outdoors, you will have to accustom the seedlings by placing them in their pots outdoors for a few hours every day. Doing this for 1-2 weeks will help you accustom the clematis to external environmental conditions.
Method 2 of 2: Propagate from Cuttings
Step 1. Get what you need
As with clematis germinated from seeds, propagating clematis from cuttings requires quite a bit of preparation and proper materials. You will need a very sharp knife or garden scissors, garden sanitizer, 6 '' containers, disinfected grow mix, fungicide solution, rooting hormone powder, plastic bags and suitable type straws / stakes to create a kind of small 'greenhouse'. Start by using the disinfectant to clean the knife / scissors, the pots you will plant in, and the straws / stakes you will use.
Step 2. Take the cutting
Use your gardening knife or scissors to make a single clean cut on an existing clematis plant. Cut a branch / tendril at least 7.5 cm long, separating it from the plant just above a set of leaves and under the next knot along the stem. If possible, try to take the cutting from the center of the tendril rather than the base or top, as this has the highest chance of germinating. Continue separating the cutting into smaller sections to plant, cutting just above a leaf knot.
Step 3. Carefully prepare the cuttings for planting
If you want the cuttings to sprout, it is imperative that you follow the directions for using the fungicide and rooting hormones very carefully. Start by briefly soaking each cutting in the fungicide solution, following the instructions provided with the package. Then, dip the end of each cutting into the rooting hormone powder, being careful to use the right amount. Using too much can prevent growth, and that's not what you want. Complete the operation by cutting each leaf in half; this will help reduce moisture loss.
Step 4. Plant the cuttings
Fill each of the pots with the disinfected potting mix to fill them approximately ¾ of the total. Bury the ends of each cutting so that the knot with the leaves is level with the soil surface. Give it a light watering to moisten the soil, and label the pot if necessary.
Step 5. Increase the humidity
Clematis cuttings thrive in a slightly humid environment, which you can easily create with a few household materials. Plant 3-4 straight straws or bamboo stakes in each container, and put a plastic bag on top. Make sure the bag is absolutely not in contact with the plant, and give the soil a good watering. Once a day, turn the bag upside down to let excess moisture out and to prevent the cuttings from rotting.
Step 6. Move the cuttings to the best position
It takes 6-8 weeks for the cuttings to start growing, and in the meantime they need to be placed in the best possible growing conditions. Move your potted plants to a place that gets plenty of natural light, but is mostly in the shade, with temperatures between 15, 5 and 21 degrees Celsius.
Step 7. Take care of the cuttings
While the cuttings can sprout in 6-8 weeks, they likely won't be ready to plant outdoors for about a year. During this time, water them regularly so that the soil is always kept moist, keep removing and replacing the 'greenhouse' plastic bag to keep humidity up.
