Clematis cuttings how early can you take them in the UK

Hi all,

i would like to take some cutting when is the earliest you can take them

Spruce

 

I seem to remember you need half ripe growth, although not something I've tried for many years.

 

If I remember rightly you can do them in April/May but don't quote me on that

 

Well you cut off a long shoot and you cut it in sections, you cut between leaves, so you end up with a pair of leaves and a length of stem.
So you get cuttings of various ripeness of wood from the same stem.
Personally I'd try layering if you only want one plant.

 

you are meant to over winter them in a greenhouse or the like the 1st year

 

While you can root cuttings all year round I have found the best time is when they are in full growing mode and they are putting on new growth.
There are several ways to take cuttings as mentioned above. If you take cutting during August pot them up and put them in a greenhouse or under glass. Place the cuttings in hormone rooting compound, then insert them pressed firmly against the side of a three or four inch pot.
Most composed work ok but add some sharp sand to the mix to improve drainage.
After initial watering start misting the cuttings daily with a hand held mister.
They should root fairly quickly in warm weather.
As the roots develop pot up into individual pots.
I overwinter in a cold greenhouse, then outside the following spring checking how the roots are developing and upping the pot size.
Insert canes to support top growth.

One thing I've found with clematis is that after planting in the open ground it can take a couple of seasons for the plant to establish a good root system and really start growing and producing flowers.
So don't panic if they don't flower immediately.
Some just don't like to be rushed.

Good luck
Mike

 

I took some 'cuttings' from Clematis Macropetala either spring or summer years ago. I pulled them off with a heel attached and pushed them into the soil of a planter outside and most rooted. Clematis doesn't need the special treatment that we are led to believe.