9cm pots Clematis

Hi All,

I had to replace my fence due to the storms and him next door digging a new border and loosened the fence post (but that's another story). new fence is over 70 feet long

I bought weeks ago before the new growth started several varieties of clematis mainly viticella & hybrid etc Dr Ruppell , Nelly Moser in 9cm pots as I needed so many I wanted cheap ££ all have put on growth 3 to 4 feet really well but 3 of them have only produced one shoot or two which is to be expected as they are only a year old ...

My question is if I pinch out the leading shoot at the top will it help produce more shoots from the base or is it best just to leave alone ?


Spruce

 

Good question @Spruce , we also have some similar sized ones and wonder the same ?

 

I often cut the tops off and they branch out easily. Sometimes I do it to the branches as well, and get even more stems.
You have to make sure you leave some leaves on the stem i.e. don't cut it too far down.

 

If I remember correctly you are supposed to keep pinching out from a young age to encourage them to branch / bushy plants for later in life . That's if I remember it right that what I read from Richard Hodson who holds the national collection of Clematis Viticella, I've had some plants of him as well Hawthornes nursery if you're interested.

Noticed a load of little clematis at Asda last week I had a good look through them, you have to remember though these are only really plug plants not really ready yet to go out into the garden.

 

Morrisons have theirs in now as well. I have 4 which are now 3 years old and have lots of new shoots at the moment.