Clematis

[JoyB]

Hi

I have three trellis planters similar to these > http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/store/images/d_2819.jpg

I planted Clematis in them a few years ago. I normally then add busy lizzies but the roots from the Clematis have made the soil very compact. If I hoe the soil and break up some of the roots will the Clematis die off or will it be ok?

Joy :)

[Summer House]

Hi JoyB,
If you hoe the soil and damage the roots you will do the Clematis no good at all, just try loosening the surface with a hand fork and then filling the tubs up to the top with soil or better still peat. It won't do the Clematis an harm to have the crowns covered in fact they should be about 3" below the soil surface, it helps to stop Clematis Whilt.
I hope this is of some help,
Summer House.

[JoyB]

Hi Summer House

Thanks for the advice. I did as you suggested last summer and I have no room to add more soil. I have tried using a fork and it's too compact to be able to turn the soil. I'm not sure what to do now and wondered if you have any other suggestions?

Joy :)

[Summer House]

Hi JoyB,

You don't have to turn the soil just push the fork in to the top of the soil and give it a twist this should be enough to loosen the top and plant your Busy Lizzies somewhere else if it is still to compact, you will damage the Clematis if you disturb the roots to much. I would suggest you plant your B.L's by using plug plants that way you will only need to use a dibber and not disturb the Clematis roots to much or maybe you could plant Bulbs in the same way and these would come up every year without having to do much at all in the way of disturbing the Clematis.
I hope this will help,

Summer House

[JoyB]

Thanks for your advice Summer House :)

Is it possible that the roots from the Clematis could choke the roots from the Busy Lizzies?

Joy :)

[Summer House]

Hi JoyB,
I wouldn't of thought so as the Clematis roots are quite thick (string thickness) and don't grow as a fine tangled mat close to the surface of the ground but tend to go down a bit deeper, they also like a bit of shade so growing small things over the base of the plant help to keep the roots cool.
Summer House

[JoyB]

Thanks very much for your help :)

[JoyB]

Hi

I have planted a new clematis which is about 8" tall but I have just noticied that all the leaves have disappeared and only the stem is left. Any idea's as to why this has happened please?

Joy :)

[Paul Narramore]

Clematis MUST be planted extra deeply to avoid clematis wilt, some say 4" deep I'd say nearer 6" is better. If you've already done that, and the plant has been properly watered, then the wilt will only go down to soil level and the plant will be safe, and should grow on next spring. I've lost more clematis that I care to think about but the last few have all done well.

[JoyB]

Thank you :)

I have moved the clematis now and it seems to be going very well.

[Runner Bean]

Hello joyB, You really have had problems with Clematis, but they 're worth it. As for the Buisy's, could you put a pot on top of the Clematis roots and put your Buisy's in it. or grow something near that would spread over the roots

[Crackers]

I have a clever little scheme for this and loosening soil around any root.
I ought to patent it :)

Get your hose pipe and attach, using an ordinary jubilee clip a piece of 22mm copper water pipe. (if you have a plumber friend then ask him to solder on a reducer to the end with an extension to make the water jet more pressurised.

Now (wear goggles as it sometimes blows back) turn on the tap and then insert the rod alongside the root of the Celmatis and just let the water pressure form a tunnel and keep pushing until the rod is not visible (you can even force the hose into the hole as well as the copper rod bores through the soil).

Keep the water going and remove the rod and do this again in several places around the plant. You will find, as the water jet loosens the soil and forms the hole that the soil will settle into the hole as you withdraw.

This gives a very very soft passage for the new roots and it also acts a root prune too.

It can be done easily to any tree shrub or plant and it save a lot of water if you water established plants this way.

[Crackers]

Oh! another thing, plant any new clematis 2" below the existing nursery mark so the stems are covered where it comes out of the pot and then cover with a tile as previously advised :)