Question

Hi  my clematis grows every year but never, ever flowers. Could someone throw some light on why? Is the pot too small? I top it with ericaceous compost every year and water it often. Thanks

Answer 1

They always say roots in the shade flowers in sun.  

Answer 2

I’m pretty sure some can take years to flower to its full capacity but I could be wrong x

Answer 3

The roots have to be kept in shade . or cover with stones or mulch, cut all the dead wood out each spring

Answer 4

I forgot to add a picture of it lol

Answer 5

Honestly the pot looks way too small needs to be wider also needs sun does it get sun during the day?  

Comments

@granthem also noticed you have put it in ericaceous compost swap it for multi purpose when you repot it and i bet it will thrive

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@dorcasdorcea lol yeah, a couple of people have mentioned the compost too. I swear, when I bought it, everywhere was saying to put it in ericaceous compost  I'm surprised its survived as long as it has! Thabk you  

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@granthem we live and learn im having issues with some of my plants at the min too

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@dorcasdorcea I don't think I'd be able to help with any advice. I'm the plant murderer!  

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@granthem i was too for a long time now i have lots of plants and learning everyday

Answer 6

My clematis flowers but is really scrawny so I've cut it right back this last 3 years to thicken it come back this year lovely

Answer 7

Should you be using ericaceous compost? A nice multipurpose and tomato feed through the season should do. If it’s a montana then they tend to prefer the ground to a pot. Also, check when you’re pruning as you may be cutting off the bits that are going to flower that year.  

Comments

@durkin73912 thanks for this. When I look on the Internet it seems to suggest that clematis like ericaceous compost? To be honest I don't tend to prune it too much because I've kind of given up on it. I think I'm going to do what the lady above suggests. Pot it into a bigger pot (not terracotta) and use stones to cover the roots, so they don't get too warm.  

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@durkin73912 you're right. Apparently they don't need ericaceous compost, the lady below has also confirmed this  thank you for your info  

Answer 8

Clematis plants don't like ericaceous soil, they prefer it more alkaline x

Comments

@thompkins really? Omg! That's where I'm going wrong then. Im sure when I bought it, everywhere was telling me to use ericaceous compost, ive not really looked since then! Glad I've posted on here now  this week's job is going to re-pot it into normal compost then  thank you

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@granthem You're welcome. I just put mine into a bit of compost in the flowerbed and they seem to be happy enough. It's good that they thrive on my neglect  x

Answer 9

They like there roots covered. I hv mine in a pot with small stones to cover it

Answer 10

Def need to change compost for normal and use a bigger pot . I'd also try grouping some other pots with lower growing plants around it to help keep the roots in shade , I have one in a pot , it gets lots of sun but has other flowers in pots around it , seems to keep it happy :-)

Answer 11

Ive had one in a pot for 5yrs. I just use normal compost and its flowers

Answer 12

Water it very well the night before you dig it up or re pot. it do that to every plant that ever needs moving it stresses the plant out less of the shock of been moved

Comments

@settera ooo I didn't know that, thank you  

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Your welcome you can use normal compost & feed once in may then once again in august

Answer 13

19years old.  

Comments

@deterioration beautiful! mine has some catching up to do  

Answer 14

Put it in the ground it will soon go that pots far too small

Comments

@trail70282 I don't have any soil, my garden is all gravelled, decked or patio  

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@granthem Get a really big pot because the stems are like a tree trunk

Answer 15

Do you know the name of it if you do put that up then we can find out what pruning group its in for you

Comments

@settera sorry, I don't remember what type it is. I bought it years ago and it's just been sat there since  

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@granthem It might not flower this year when you repot it but it should the year after if it flowers early spring April/may its in group1 then group 2 will flower next mid summer then group 3 will flower last later in the summer so put a picture back up on here when it starts to flower then we can suss out which group it is in you need to know this because you prune each group a different way each year I do hope it flowers for you this year x

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@settera aw thank you for the info. I would love for it to flower too  

Answer 16

Doesn't need ericasious soil