Why clematis does not grow.

These stunningly beautiful vines, when properly planted and well cared for, grow quite quickly and amaze with the beauty of flowering. But sometimes it happens that clematis practically does not develop, does not increase in growth. To identify the reason for this, you need to know all the nuances of plant care. Take a closer look at clematis, analyze all your actions, starting with the process of planting a seedling, then you can find and fix the problem, and clematis will delight you with its healthy and blooming appearance.

The reasons why the growth of clematis is slowing down.

So, what can cause disturbances during the growing season and slow down the growth of clematis?
1. Incorrectly adjusted irrigation regime. Clematis is extremely moisture-loving, the soil in the near-stem circle of the plant should get wet to a depth of 50-70 cm when watering.After you have planted the plant in a new place, it should be watered at least once a week (in dry weather, twice a week) ... After about two months, when the plant is completely rooted, the interval between waterings can be increased to ten days (again, based on the weather and rainfall). Mulching the soil after watering will keep it moist longer.
2. The quality and composition of the soil. If the soil is too dense, it will make it difficult for water and air to reach the roots, and therefore slow down the growth of the plant. This is not to say that clematis are especially demanding on the composition of the soil, but like any other plant, they grow best on loose and nutritious soil. This should be taken care of when planting by preparing a nutrient mixture of compost, sand and soil from your site. Alternatively, you can buy clematis primer from a garden center or flower shop.
3. Insufficient fertilization can also delay the development of clematis. From spring to September, regular feeding should be carried out, providing the plant with everything necessary for flowering and growth.
4. Sometimes the development of a plant can be delayed by untimely pruning, so it is necessary to carry out sanitary or cosmetic procedures at the proper time.
5. Frost can be another reason for stunted growth. All clematis are thermophilic and do not tolerate winter well, they all need high-quality shelter from frost. Therefore, if you want to keep the plant healthy, then you need to carefully cover it before freezing.
6. If the plant is sick or affected by harmful insects, then it also slows down or stops growth. Regularly inspect clematis and at the first symptoms of illness or the appearance of insects, treat the crown of the plant with special preparations.

How to care for clematis.

In order for the plant to fully develop and delight you with flowering, it is necessary to provide it with competent care, then most of the problems can be avoided and the question of stopping the growth of clematis simply will not arise.

When choosing a place for planting clematis, make sure that the groundwater is deep (if this is not the case, then take care of a good drainage layer). Protect the plant from drafts and make sure it gets enough sunlight, but not in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.

Adjust the watering mode. Clematis needs a lot of water, but this does not mean that it is necessary to transform the soil under a bush in a swamp, like other crops, it does not tolerate waterlogging.

Feed regularly.The three "whales" that support the nutrition of a flowering perennial plant are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. If clematis receives each of the dressings at the right stage of the growing season, then this will help it not only fully develop, but also support its immunity.

Prune regularly. Clematis, like hydrangea, depending on the variety, can bloom on the shoots of the past or current year. Therefore, they cut it either almost entirely, or at a height of 1.5 meters. And of course, during the season it is necessary to remove damaged or diseased shoots, as well as faded inflorescences.

Be sure to cover clematis for the winter. Without shelter, plants are likely to freeze and die.
Carry out preventive treatments with chemicals annually to prevent the invasion of harmful insects and diseases that can affect the growing season and slow down the growth of the plant ("powdery mildew", "fusarium", "spotting"). If a disease is nevertheless found on the plant, then the affected shoots must be removed and burned, and then sprayed with a suitable preparation.

Advice from experienced gardeners.

The information contained in the last paragraph of this article is the advice of experienced gardeners who have been growing clematis for more than one year in their summer cottages, faced different situations and are ready to share their experience.

• Sometimes clematis is ready to bloom in the first summer after you plant it. No matter how sorry you may be, the buds will have to be removed, since the flowering will greatly weaken the plant, it will not be able to fully prepare for winter, and even with good shelter it may die.
• In order to regulate the moisture content of the soil, at a distance of about 30-40 cm from the plant, dig in plastic two or one and a half liter bottles with the neck down, having previously cut off the bottom of them. Fill the bottles with water, the moisture will gradually go into the soil - you get the simplest drip irrigation system.
• Top dressing should be carried out throughout the season. Remember to water the soil before fertilizing. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers will be preferable, but closer to the end of the season, ash or bone meal should be added under the clematis. The last feeding should be done in September or early October.
• Don't forget to prune your clematis. When preparing for pruning, make sure your gardening tools are very sharp and clean, wipe them with alcohol just before pruning to protect the plant from the possibility of pathogenic microbes entering through the cut. For greater confidence, you can process the cuts with garden pitch.
• Regularly carry out preventive treatment of the crown of the plant and the soil to prevent the development of diseases and the appearance of pests.
  With good care, clematis grows very actively, after a few years you will be able to propagate the plant by dividing the adult bush into several young specimens.