Clems with buds!

Hi ya, my Clems (Multi Blue, Ville De Lyon & Mrs.Cholmondly) which I thought would flower during summertime, have got lots of large buds all over, I did cut them down earlier in the year but should I cut the flowers off to help strenthen the plants? If so will they make more soon?

 

I have seen it written that in the first year you should prune them down to 12 inches, even it you risk loosing flowers. This is presumably to make them bush out and encourage growth rather than flowers. But in subsequent years I would just prune them as normal (if I can remember in time).

I have read that people who exhibit Pelargoniums (and probably other plants as well) cut all the flower buds off in the first year and don't let them flower at all, so that in the second year they makes bigger bushier and better plant. But if you are not going to exhibit your Clematis I don't think it matters too much.

Its worth Googling something like prune + clematis. They will tell you the normal pruning regime for each variety. There are a few sites here.
http://www.climbing-plants.info/Clematis.htm
http://www.clematis.com.pl/wms/wmsg.php/53912.html
http://www.saska.demon.co.uk/index2.html
http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/

 

I`d leave them on and enjoy the flowers.

 

I have 6 different clematis. I agree with David (is this a first?) Mine do weird things like budding in August. But they don't die. Just let them go and enjoy. Oh and give them the odd shot of tomato feed. Yes. It works.

 

I believe so, John. :D

 

Thanks all. Will leave be as it is a couple of years old.

 

Sunshine do your pruning straight after they have flowered this will allow them to build up growth and buds for next years flowers.