Clematis Asao

The old varieties of clematis include the Asao variety of clematis. The crop was bred by one breeder from Japan in 1977, his name is Kaushige Ozawa. Clematis Asao is classified as an early flowering plant with large flowers. The plant is a loach, since the stems and leaves have special antennae that perfectly hold onto the installed structures. Therefore, with the help of clematis of this variety, they ennoble sites, make vertical hedges, and also use them for any other decorative purposes. Clematis are often grown in flowerpots and pots.

Clematis Asao: photo of the variety

Clematis Asao: variety description

The stem length of this variety can reach 3 m. The plant is characterized by a two-stage flowering period. Flowers start to please the eye in late spring or early summer. Here flowers ripen on old shoots, and closer to autumn a new wave of flowers appears.

The size of Asao flowers is quite large, up to 20 cm in diameter, the petals form an elongated oval and have pointed tips. The number of petals on each flower is approximately eight. At the edges, the flowers have a beautiful bright pink tint, and in the middle there is a light stripe. Bright yellow stamens stand out against the background of gentle pink petals.

Hybrid clematis Asao is able to withstand frosts up to 30-35 degrees below zero, despite this, clematis must be covered so that the rest of the plant above the ground does not freeze in such a cold season. Those who have already grown clematis of this variety on their site note the unpretentiousness of the plant.

Clematis Asao: photo of the variety

Clematis Asao: cultivar pruning group

Clematis Asao is ranked among the second pruning group, which means that during the autumn formation of the bush, it is necessary to leave no more than 10 of the strongest and most powerful stems, pinching them at a distance of about a meter from the surface of the earth. The remaining shoots are twisted and covered. Thus, in the first wave of flowering, flowers will be formed on these shoots, and flowering will depend on how they overwinter.

Care rules

The place for planting hybrid clematis Acao must be chosen in advance, it is very good if it is partial shade. It will be ideal if the sun is present here in the morning and in the evening, and the rest of the time the culture will be in partial shade, because it feels uncomfortable when exposed to direct sunlight.

Particular attention must be paid to protecting the root system of clematis to avoid overheating. To do this, in front of the seedlings, it is necessary to plant a number of low annuals, which will create this very shadow. You can plant roses. Then it will be necessary to create an additional barrier between the root systems of two different crops.

Clematis Asao: photo of the variety

Like all vines, Clematis Asao does not tolerate drafts. It is also necessary to organize a strong, good structure, which will be a support for an adult, overgrown, heavy plant. You can grow clematis near the house or near the fence, retreating a distance of at least half a meter. Also, the plant should not be under the roof drain. The soil must be alkaline or neutral, and must also be loose and nutritious.

Hybrid clematis Asao: planting rules for varieties

For planting clematis Asao, it is necessary to choose a place where groundwater will lie far from the surface. It is good for a planting pit to mix garden soil with humus or peat. If there is a deficiency of nutrients in the soil, it is necessary to add rotted manure, as well as a complex of mineral fertilizers. If the soil on the site is acidic, then lime must be added and everything must be dug up properly before planting. Since the adult plant is developing very well, it is necessary to provide it with sufficient space.

Preparation of planting material

You should carefully approach the choice of a seedling when buying. It must have a good, healthy root system with at least 5 root shoots.

It is necessary to look so that there is no swelling on the root system of clematis Asao - this will indicate that the culture is affected by a nematode. For preventive purposes, the finished seedling will need to be treated with a fungicide. Before planting, the seedling should be shortened if it is long.

It is necessary to dig a hole in advance, which will be about half a meter in all directions. The soil that has been dug must be mixed with compost or humus, you should also add a little ash, superphosphate and potassium sulfate to it.

Hybrid clematis Asao: photo of the variety

A sufficient drainage layer is initially laid out on the bottom. You can take chipped bricks or gravel. Then half of the prepared soil mixture is laid out and a mound is formed, on which the seedling is placed during planting, carefully straightening the entire root system. Sand and ash must be poured into the center of the bush. It is important to ensure that the root collar of the bush is buried by about 10 cm. Next, the seedling is buried in the remaining mixture, and then, as the earth settles, it will be necessary to add a few more layers of earth.

It is important that the root collar is below ground level in order for the plant to begin to form new stems and shoots, so that the bush grows more luxuriantly, and also in order to increase its defenses. In addition, such a deep planting will make it easier to endure winter and too hot summer.

Watering rules for hybrid clematis Asao

Clematis is a plant that loves moisture very much, however, it is categorically afraid of stagnant water, so special control from gardeners is needed here. Optimal watering is about once every 5 days. If the summer is drier, then water more often. The water temperature should be sufficient, and it is better if it is rainwater. An adult plant requires approximately 30 liters of water. Watering must be done not directly under the root, but stepping back about 30 cm from it.

Experienced summer residents use a different irrigation method that will ensure the best moisture penetration to the roots. To do this, during planting, several pipes are dug in with holes previously altered into them, through which watering takes place directly. This will not only allow moisture to reach the root system, but also prevent the appearance of fungal diseases, as well as blurring the root zone and moisturizing the leaves.

Loosening

After each watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil so that a crust does not form on the soil. This must be done very carefully, with tools with short teeth, so as not to damage the root system. To avoid additional procedures, it is best to organize a sufficient layer of mulch, which will not only retain moisture in the soil, but also eliminate weeding.

Crown formation

After the plant is planted, it is necessary to cut off 1/3 of the shoots. The next year, before flowering, do the same. Before the first preparation for winter, all shoots should be cut off completely. Next, pruning is performed, according to the rules for forming a bush of the second group of clematis.

It is also necessary to monitor the bush throughout the season, promptly removing dry, damaged branches. In order to prevent infection from entering the plants, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness and use treated tools.

Preliminary preparation for winter

Before preparing clematis Asao for winter, it is necessary to remove all the leaves, the old layer of mulch, and treat the plant with preparations containing copper. Next, they make the final pruning of the plant, release it from the support and carefully twist the stems. The shoots are laid on spruce branches and covered with them from above, after which the bush is sprinkled with dry sand. Then the plants need to build a small structure or greenhouse. From above it is covered with a light covering material, and it is attached to the structure, leaving a space between the ground surface and the shelter.

When spring comes, the shelter should not be removed immediately, but gradually, because there is a risk of recurrent frosts, and the spring sun is too bright. But you should not linger too long with the disclosure of clematis of this variety, so that the shoots do not quail.

Breeding methods for hybrid clematis Acao

Clematis Asao: photo of seedlings

Hybrid clematis Asao is propagated in different ways: by cuttings, layering, and by dividing the bush.

To propagate clematis using cuttings, it is necessary to take parts of the shoots from adult plants that are at least two years old at the time the buds are forming. A stalk is cut from the middle of the shoot, on which there are leaves and several developed buds. Leaving a small part of the stem and one leaf, it must be placed vertically in wet sand to a depth of 5 cm.

To divide the bush, it is necessary to take also adult and healthy plants. The bush is dug up and its root is divided into two parts, making sure that both stems and buds are present on each of them.

For propagation of the bush by layering, it is also necessary to take strong, strong shoots, cut off all the leaves and dig it into a specially prepared furrow nearby, and then water it throughout the season. So, a separate stem is formed from each bud, which will then take root and will be available to separate it from an adult plant.

You can propagate clematis and seeds, but this is a rather lengthy and laborious process.

Clematis Asao: diseases and pests of the variety

Clematis Asao: photo of the variety

Like all plants, clematis can be affected by various ailments and insect pests.

One of the most dangerous and untreatable diseases is wilt... Its signs will be the sudden wilting of stems and leaves. The cause is pathogenic soil fungi. If this disease occurs, all affected shoots should be completely removed and the soil should be treated with fungicides. To avoid this ailment, for preventive purposes, the soil must be treated with ash mixed with clean sand, and lime must be added to the soil annually.

In addition, plants can be susceptible to powdery mildew, rust and other diseases, but here only timely preventive measures can cope with ailments, namely, every spring the plants are treated with preparations containing copper.

The most dangerous pest for clematis Asao is the nematode. Its presence can be detected by swelling on the root system, and the plants will begin to wilt. In this case, the bush is completely removed and destroyed. In addition, this place will be unsuitable for growing clematis for several years.

Conclusion

Like all clematis, the Asao clematis variety is distinguished by its tenderness and distinctive beauty of the flowers. Large pink open buds will decorate even the most inconspicuous corners of the site. In order for the plant to fully fulfill its decorative functions, you will need to follow simple rules of care, do timely pruning and prepare the plant for winter with high quality.