In terms of growing from seed, all clematis can be divided into three groups:
- with small seeds – germinate within a few weeks, have good germination. These are species clematis – tangutica, vitalba, serratifolia;
- with medium seeds – germinate from a month to six months, many do not germinate without stratification. These are clematis hexapetala, recta and it subspecies recta var. manchjurica, integrifolia;
- with large seeds – germinate for at least three months, and some for a year. Germination and germination energy are ugly, stratification is almost always required. These are varietal large-flowered clematis, lanuginosa, texensis and others.
The best germination is in fresh clematis seeds, recently collected and dried. However, if the seeds were stored in a dry place at a temperature of about 20 degrees, they will retain germination for 3…5 years, although the proportion of capable of germination will decrease every year.
Sowing dates depend on the group: small seeds are sown in March, medium seeds at the end of December, and large seeds a couple of weeks after collection (they germinate so slowly that they may not even make it to picking in the first year).
Many seeds do not germinate or germinate poorly without prior soaking or stratification. Soak seeds for 7…10 days in clean water, which is changed several times a day. Stratify seeds in the refrigerator for 10…30 days at a temperature of about 4 degrees Celsius.
After soaking or sowing seeds are sown in light nutritious soil with a neutral reaction of the soil solution. they are distributed over the surface of the soil and covered with moist sand. The thickness of the sand layer is 2…3 seed diameters. after that, the containers are covered with glass or film and placed in a warm place.
The optimum temperature for seed germination is 25…28 degrees Celsius. During the entire germination period, moisten the soil by pouring water into the tray. You can also water from above through a strainer. After the emergence of seedlings, the temperature is reduced to 18…21 degrees and put in a well-lit place.
Care of clematis seedlings
Until the first pair of true leaves appear, the seedlings are kept in a common container and watered sparingly but abundantly. After the first pair of leaves appear, the plants are planted into individual pots and nurtured until the end of May or early June. After that, they are transplanted into the open ground.ы настоящих листьев сеянцы держат в общей емкости и поливают редко, но обильно. После появления настоящих листьев растения рассаживают в индивидуальные горшочки и доращивают их до конца мая-начала июня. После этого их пересаживают в открытый грунт.
For planting, it is better to choose a windless, well-lit, but protected from the midday sun place with light, well-cultivated soil. If the nights are not very warm, the plants can be covered overnight for the first few weeks. Water them as the soil dries out, abundantly, but rarely, feeding is desirable one complex, 2 weeks after planting.
Over the winter, the seedlings are covered, and in the spring they are transferred to a permanent place.