Should I pot up and more

19 years ago

You are such pros. Have read a lot but can't figure what I should do. Got five 1 gallon clems which I can't plant for a bit. They are Dr. Rupple, Proteus and Carmady. Moving them up to 2 gallons would make keeping the moisture in them. Also, I could cover the base with a couple of inches of soil to promote stem production. (Or at least that's what I think it would do.)

If you agree with the validity of moving them up, what type of soil should I use. Have lightly sprinkled bone meal and a 12-6-6 fertilizer already.

Coming to clematis and a bunch of other plants with a world of ignorance. Was a shade gardener for many years. Now have a ton of wonderful fun sun and loving it!

Thanks much for your advice and guidance.

Rosie in Sugar Hill, GA

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Comments (5)

shiao
19 years ago
When I potted up my baby Wisley, I followed the advice from the lady from Completely Clematis in Ipswich MA. She said to use a mixture of 1/2 orchid bark mix (soak overnight first) and 1/2 potting soil mix. This is only a temporary solution...you will want to plant them in the fall into the ground. The point is to allow good rainage, and good feeding to strengthen the root system before you let them be on their own in the fall. mike
jeanne_texas
19 years ago
I always dig a hole in my retaining garden and drop in the pots and backfill with soil..they stay there till time to plant..they stay nice and moist and I just pull up the pots and remove the plants and plant them..I have 8 like that right now that I will plant this coming September....Jeanne
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nckvilledudes
19 years ago
I have always just used Peters or some similar potting soil that can be purchased at any big box store and never had any issues with doing so. I especially like the variety that has moisture retaining granules since it can cut down on watering needs tremendously in the warmer zones. I personally don't think there is any reason to add orchid bark to a potting mix for clematis.

Another word of advice--don't order from Completely Clematis unless you want to pay premium prices for less than premium plants. I ordered once from the company and got what I thought was a pathetically small plant for the money. Someone suggested that I give the company another try and I did so, only to be disappointed again by the size of the plant for the money. I would order from them only if they had a clematis that I just had to have and no one else had.

I agree with Jeanne to bury the pot. This will also help to retain moisture. Adding mulch will also assist with the moisture retention.
rosiew
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will drop the pots into some tilled soil. Hopefully I will have my fence painted and can plant them soon. Can make some temporary trellising for them.

We have heavy red clay soil which is greatly moisture retentive. AND our drought conditions have improved!

I'm working my way through the forum posts. What a wealth of information. Will avoid Completely Clematis.

Rosie in Sugar Hill, GA
nckvilledudes
19 years ago
Rosie, you can't go wrong with either plants from Debbie at Silver Star Vinery or Dan at Brushwood Nursery. Like I said, I would order from Completely Clematis if they had something that I couldn't get anywhere else, but would also realize I would be paying top dollar for less than top dollar plants. Both plants I got from them did well after I potted them up and grew them out, but when you can get plants that can go directly into the ground for less money from Debbie or Dan, why pay the premium? I am one who always visits nurseries online to see what is new but I haven't even looked at the Completely Clematis website in a long time!