How to propagate clematis by cuttings in autumn: features, timing, advantages and disadvantages

Clematis

Clematis is considered the queen of the garden. It's hard to tear your eyes away from this living cascade of flowers. Most clematis varieties are hybrids. They are propagated vegetatively: by cuttings, layering, and division. Seed propagation is only suitable for varieties with small flowers.

Advantages and disadvantages of autumn cuttings

Clematis bushes are trained in the fall. Pruning is essential for this plant. This improves development and growth and promotes spring bud break. During training, many branches are left behind, which are cut into petioles, which can be used for planting and propagation.

Advantages of planting in autumn:

plants harden off and get used to temperature changes;
autumn seedlings outgrow spring bushes in growth;
in rainy weather there is no need to waste water for irrigation;
In autumn, gardeners have more free time for pruning than in spring, when mass work is carried out.

In spring, the branches haven't yet grown back after the fall pruning, so it's easy to overdo the pruning. Also, spring is when the buds swell and the sap begins to flow through the branches. It's best not to disturb the vine at this time.

The downside of autumn cuttings is that early frosts can be untimely, and the seedlings will freeze before they have time to root. Cuttings take root more easily in autumn than in summer. In summer, they are rich in biostimulants, which stimulate bud formation.

Methods of propagation of clematis

Clematis rarely produce seeds; seed propagation is labor-intensive and rarely produces seedlings. Even if the seeds do take root, the bush still loses its maternal properties. Clematis can be propagated in several ways. The most common is by clematis cuttings.

Clematis cuttings in autumn

To propagate clematis from cuttings in the fall, select bushes 3-4 years old. After pruning the bush, select strong, healthy branches. It's best to avoid tops with buds. Cut the middle section of the shoot, devoid of buds but with two nodes and a couple of buds at the base of the leaves. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears for pruning, and wear gloves. Growing clematis from cuttings is a simple propagation method, but it will take several years for the plant to bloom abundantly.

Propagation of clematis by layering

In May or early summer, select 2-3 long, healthy shoots from the bush. Place them in small furrows 8 cm deep, securing them with a hook or clothespin to prevent the shoots from bending. When watering the bush, water the layering area generously. When the shoots reach 15 cm in length, cover the surrounding soil with mulch. In the fall, the new plants can be replanted.

In mid-autumn, remove all leaves and part of the shoot down to the first developed bud from the pruned branches. The branches are tied together and laid in dug trenches. A layer of peat is added to the bottom of the trenches and on top of the shoots; this material retains moisture and is breathable. The trenches are filled with soil and compacted. In the spring, the area is thoroughly watered and fertilized with mineral supplements. When seedlings emerge, the soil is mulched with moss and humus. The following fall, the plants are transplanted into the plot.

Hilling method

In summer, you can grow cuttings for fall planting. To do this, in June, place a box without a top or bottom on the growing branches. Regularly add soil until the structure is completely filled. A portion of the branch with two developed buds should remain uncovered. During this process, water the soil generously. By fall, the cuttings will be ready for planting. Cut the shoots to a height of 20 cm from the ground. Mound 15 cm of nutritious soil around the bush and cover with insulation for the winter.

Dividing the bush

Fall division is safer than spring division. Don't dig up the plant once buds have begun to open and the bush has begun to develop.

Five-year-old clematis is divided into small bushes. The bush is dug out of the soil and shaken loose. The rhizome of a mature plant is strong and long, often requiring uprooting. Rinse the entire root in water to see where to divide. Carefully separate the bushes into several bushes. Trim all shoots back to the second bud and replant.

Reproduction in water

The same process is used for cuttings, except the roots are placed in water until roots appear. To transplant young plants in September, cut the branches and place them in water around July. Leave the leaves, removing only those that will be submerged. Submerge part of the shoot so that one internode is submerged. Do not expose the container to direct sunlight; if this is not possible, wrap it in paper. At room temperature, roots will appear in 30-40 days. When the roots reach 5-6 cm in length, transplant them into greenhouse soil. Avoid overexposing the roots in water, as they will become tangled and the buds will dry out.

Features of autumn reproduction

Proper pruning, cutting, care, and soil all affect the future development of clemitis. Incorrect pruning or excessive watering can kill young plants.

Preparing cuttings

It's best to prune cuttings when buds are forming, which typically occurs in late spring or early summer.

Sequence of cuttings preparation:

the cut is made above 1-2 leaves;
take the middle part of the branch;
cut at an angle of 45 degrees, 5 cm below the first node and 2-3 cm above the second node;
large leaves are removed;
place in water up to 1/3 of the stalk;
the shoots are placed in a dark place for 9 hours in a growth stimulator: root, sodium humate, heteroauxin;
Afterwards, rinse the branches under running water.

Preparing the soil

Clematis prefers an alkaline environment. Highly acidic soils should be limed. Prepare a light, moisture-retentive, and breathable soil:

The following composition is used: sand, humus, peat (1:1:1).
A mixture of river sand and sphagnum moss.
Garden soil, peat, humus 1 part each, 0.5 parts sand, 20 g superphosphate per 5 kg of mixture.
You can root cuttings in coconut fiber, perlite, or vermiculite.

Attention!

Any soil mixture should be filled with a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection - 4 g of the substance per 9 liters of water.

Planting and caring for cuttings

To achieve abundant flowering you should not plant clematis In a sunny location, partial shade is best. Avoid planting near iron fences or house walls. Roof water should not flood the bushes. Avoid growing vines in drafty or windy areas.

To root woody cuttings, use seedlings of small-flowered and wild varieties. Branches are cut in August to lengths of 8-12 cm with two nodes. After the shoots have rooted in water, they are planted in rooting trays. The lower part of the petiole is buried 3 cm deep. To prevent the buds from drying out, the node is buried 1 cm deep. The distance between seedlings is 6 cm, and between rows 15 cm.

To actively grow the root system, clematis requires care:

room temperature 19-22 degrees;
For the first three weeks, plants are watered a little every day, then once every 10 days is enough;
seedlings need high humidity, they are sprayed 3 times a month;
regular ventilation of the room;
Once every 8 days, the petioles are sprayed with zircon, a plant growth regulator.
After the cuttings have taken root, the film is removed, they are pricked out in the spring, and planted in the garden in the fall.

Attention!

Air temperatures above 30 degrees are harmful to young animals.

How to root a cutting

Clematis cuttings can be grown in hotbeds, greenhouses, tunnels, and in windowsill boxes. If pruning is done in the fall, the cuttings should first be rooted and then planted in the ground in the spring. There are several methods for growing cuttings.

Plastic cups

A clear plastic cup allows you to clearly see what's happening to your plant roots. Uses for the cups:

fill with nutrient mixture;
small holes are made in the container for drainage;
water the ground;
bury the cutting so that the node is half covered with soil;
Before the cuttings take root, cover the cups with film.

When the time comes to plant the plants from the cups, the seedlings are transferred to the hole along with the soil in which they grew.

Soil

The cuttings are planted in a potting mix in a plastic greenhouse. A cardboard box is dug into the soil. The soil should be free of weeds and harmful microorganisms. It's best to create a two-layer soil. The first layer is peat and sand for drainage, with humus added, then topped with sand. Water with a potassium permanganate solution. For rapid rooting, the seedlings are treated with heteroauxin or sodium (2 g per liter of water) for 8-10 hours, rinsed, and transferred to the soil.

Water

Use a wide-mouthed container to root the cuttings. Fill it with water and immerse the cuttings so that only the tips are 1 cm deep. Place the container in a dark place. As the water evaporates, top it up to the original level. When the rhizome reaches 4-5 cm, plant it in a greenhouse.

Bottles

Resourceful gardeners have come up with a way to root flowers using two-liter plastic bottles. This saves space and allows the cuttings to take root faster.

The bottle is cut in half. A soil mixture is poured into the bottom half, the seedling is planted deeper, watered from above, and the other half of the bottle is placed on top. The joint is secured with tape, and the cork is closed. The mini greenhouse is buried in the ground to the level of the soil in the bottle. After a couple of weeks, the greenhouse is ventilated by unscrewing the cork for half an hour a day. When seedlings appear, the bottle is left open and drainage holes are made.

In addition to bottles and cups, plastic bags, pots, and containers are also used. These containers are typically found in flower beds or greenhouses.

Conditions for rooting cuttings in a substrate

For clematis blooming on last year's wood, cuttings are taken before flowering in May or in July after flowering. In midsummer, green cuttings are planted in pots, boxes, or directly into the ground. In late August, the vine shoots are cut and healthy shoots are rooted indoors only.

Prepared shoots can be immediately planted in fertile soil:

Individually – cups, bottles, pots.
Planting in a common cutting bed will prevent monitoring the rooting process. The soil should be two-layered: first, a 20-25 cm layer of substrate, followed by a 5 cm layer of perlite or sand. The soil is leveled, compacted, and moistened.

Temperature background

In winter, greenhouse plants are watered occasionally. The air temperature is 3-8°C*. At the end of December, it increases to 17°C*. Starting in April, growing cuttings are selected for planting. It's best if the temperature consistently remains between 20-24°C. If the days are hot, try to lower the temperature by ventilating the greenhouse, using fans, and misting.

Timing for propagating clematis in autumn

The timing of propagation depends on the condition of the shoots. It's best to use branches that haven't yet bloomed. Cuttings begin in late August and continue throughout September. If winter is early, it's best to prune earlier, for example, in July or August, and avoid any weather surprises.

Wintering and maintenance of clematis petioles

How the petioles survive the winter determines their further development. It's best if the buds on the petioles don't awaken, but rather overwinter peacefully and begin to grow in the spring. In northern regions, the petioles are dug up, planted in containers, and stored in a cool, frost-free place throughout the winter.

Features of wintering shoots:

for the winter, the seedlings are covered with film;
as soon as the shoots reach a height of 12-15 cm, they are pinched above the second node to accelerate rooting;
You can leave the cuttings for the winter in the basement in boxes, pots, or in a greenhouse under film or peat;
If the greenhouse is not heated, you can cover the shoots with spruce branches, sawdust, or a special cloth;
With the arrival of spring, young clematis are transplanted to a permanent place in the garden.

Attention!

You cannot cover the shoots with film material; the plant needs to breathe.

In the greenhouse, once the seedlings have established themselves, they begin hardening off after a couple of months. The structure is ventilated by opening it for half an hour during the first few days, then the ventilation time is increased. After 15-20 days, the greenhouse is opened for the entire day.

With proper care and planting, clematis can grow in one place for 20-25 years. The key is to water it regularly, loosen the soil, and prune the bushes. The vine is not susceptible to harmful insects, and its beautiful flowers will grace the garden for a long time.