Content
Clematis Solidarity is a relatively young hybrid of Polish selection. The decorativeness of the bush and the original color of the flowers in 2005 earned a silver medal at the Plantarium exhibition in Holland. The flowering plant belongs to the climbing representatives of the flora, it is widely used in landscape design for vertical gardening.
Description of Clematis Solidarity
According to the description, Clematis Solidarity (pictured) is a perennial liana-like plant with stiff main stems and flexible, strong shoots. During the growing season, Clematis Solidarity grows up to 1.5 meters. The variety belongs to semi-shrubs, requires the installation of a structure that supports the vine. The plant, as it grows, is fixed to the support with the help of leaf petioles. The hybrid does not grow very quickly, it forms many young shoots with soft green foliage. When it reaches adulthood (5 years), full flowering begins.
Clematis Solidarity is a large-flowered hybrid that forms flowers from May to late September. The duration of flowering depends on the characteristics of the regional climate. In the South it is longer, in Central Russia it is shorter. Clematis Solidarity blooms continuously, the first flowers appear on the shoots of the second year, then they form on young stems. Abundant flowering, the bush is completely covered with a solid burgundy carpet.
Clematis Solidarity is one of the most demanded varieties. The frost resistance of the plant is a necessary quality for a temperate climate. Drought tolerance is a priority in the South. Solidarity is cultivated practically throughout Russia.
External characteristic:
- The bush of clematis Solidarity is compact, densely leafy, the leaf plate is light green, smooth with pronounced veins, reticulated. Leaves are lanceolate, opposite, medium-sized, ternary.
- The root system is of a mixed type, widespread, extending down to 2 m.
- The plant is dioecious, the flowers are large - diameter 18 cm, consist of 6 sepals, the shape is oblong, oval, tapering towards the apex. The velvety surface of a bright burgundy color, in the center there is an oblong ribbing of a light tone and slight white blotches. The edges of the petals are even.
- Dark purple anthers are found on long, thin, light yellow filaments arranged in a semicircle.
Clematis Solidarity is used to decorate a plot in mass plantings with varieties of various (white, pink, blue, blue) color of flowers. Used for the formation of arches, hedges, walls that define the zones of the garden, for vertical gardening of gazebos.
Clematis pruning group Solidarity
Clematis (privateer) Solidarity is a large-flowered variety belonging to the second (weak) pruning group. Varieties of this variety rarely grow above 1.7 m. The peculiarity of the culture is that the main flowering occurs on perennial shoots. Therefore, they are not cut off, but removed from the structure and covered for the winter. If the stems are cut, Clematis Solidarity will not bloom on the shoots of the new season. In the best case, these will be single buds on the bottom of the bush.
The second group includes most of the varieties of hybrid clematis. Cultivation of the Solidarity variety requires certain knowledge of agricultural technology:
- it is necessary to preserve the integrity of the lashes when they are removed from the support, the vine is rather fragile;
- an improperly sheltered plant for the winter may not preserve buds, and high humidity will cause rotting of the stems near the root;
- the inner part of the bush is a comfortable place for wintering small rodents, in spring 1/3 of the plant may remain, the rest of the branches will be damaged by mice.
The appearance of multiple buds fully compensates for the inconvenience of leaving. The original ornamental plant stands out among other varieties with the beauty of the bush and continuous profuse flowering.
Conditions for growing clematis Solidarity
Cover crops, which include hybrid clematis Solidarity, grow in height until they reach adulthood. Then they only strengthen the bush with side shoots. The length of the perennial vines remains unchanged.
Install the trellis in such a way as to remove the stems with minimal losses. Clematis Solidarity is not suitable for decorating the walls of buildings. The close location of the building, in the summer, will raise the air temperature, make it difficult to remove from the support. Clematis needs a well-ventilated place, but without a harsh northerly wind.
Planting and caring for clematis Solidarity
Clematis varieties of the second pruning group grow more slowly than representatives of other groups. They need a lot of light for vegetation. The root circle should be free of any plants. The composition of the soil is slightly acidic or neutral, fertile, loose. The soil is sandy loam or loamy with abundant humus. The land should not be dry or waterlogged.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The site for clematis Solidarity is determined taking into account that the root system is in the shade, the stems and young shoots are in open space. For photosynthesis, the plant needs an excess of ultraviolet radiation. An important role for clematis Solidarity is played by the composition of the soil and the size of the pit.
Planting grooves are prepared 10 days before planting the crop. The hole should be deep enough, about 75 cm, the width is determined by the root system of the seedling, the distance to the edge is at least 20 cm. A drainage layer is placed on the bottom. Prepare a nutrient mixture:
- sand - 3 kg;
- peat - 3 kg;
- compost - 5 kg;
- ash - 200 g;
- superphosphate - 100 g;
- nitrophoska - 200 g.
Seedling preparation
Seedlings of clematis Solidarity, harvested independently, are stored in a dark room in winter at + 1-3 0C, after the appearance of buds, the planting material is taken out to a well-lit place. Before planting, they are removed from the soil where the cuttings have germinated, the root is placed in an antifungal solution, then in a growth-stimulating preparation.
When dividing a bush, the following rules are taken into account:
- share the plant at least 5 years old;
- landing is carried out before the main sap flow;
- each plot should be equipped with a healthy root system and five full buds.
If the seedling is purchased from a nursery, check the condition of the root and the presence of healthy shoots. Disinfection and stimulation are carried out if the seedling has not undergone the procedure before implementation.
Landing rules
When mass planting clematis Solidarity, 70 cm is left between the holes. Sequence of actions:
- A seedling is placed in the center, the roots are distributed along the bottom.
- Pour in the rest of the nutrient mixture.
- Deepen the root collar by 7-9 cm.
- The root circle is compacted and watered with organic matter.
Watering and feeding
A prerequisite is that when watering, it is impossible to allow the soil to become waterlogged and the top layer to dry out.An adult plant is watered with a large volume of water 2 times a month. Watering young seedlings is carried out regularly, focusing on the amount of precipitation. The root circle should be moist, the soil is loose, and the presence of weeds is strictly prohibited.
Large-flowered varieties of the second pruning group require constant feeding. Clematis Solidarity is fertilized with:
- at the beginning of May - with urea;
- during budding - Agricola-7;
- after flowering - organic;
- in the fall - superphosphate, potassium-containing agents.
During the formation of flowers, plants are treated with a stimulant "Bud".
Mulching and loosening
Loosening of clematis Solidarity is carried out constantly, regardless of age. Do not allow compaction of the topsoil and the development of weeds. The culture is mulched to retain moisture, to prevent overheating of the fibrous part of the root.
It is recommended to huddle the plant, cover it on top with mowed grass or last year's leaves. You can plant low-growing flowers around the perimeter of the root circle. Symbiosis will protect clematis from overheating, and provide flowering plants with periodic shading.
Pruning Clematis Solidarity
Pruning is carried out in the fall after the foliage has fallen:
- If necessary, shorten perennial stems by 15-20 cm.
- Underdeveloped young shoots are removed.
- Cut off part of the crown that has dried up over the summer.
All work is carried out after removing the vine from the support.
Preparing for winter
Clematis Solidarity belongs to the covering varieties. The plant must be covered in autumn, regardless of the weather conditions in the region. Preparation for winter consists in carrying out the following activities:
- The seedling is watered abundantly at the root.
- The stems are removed from the support, cut off.
- Twisted into a ring.
- A layer of leaves is poured onto the ground, the stems are placed on them.
- Increase the layer of mulch.
- Arcs are installed over the clematis, the film is stretched.
Reproduction
Clematis Solidarity (Solidarnosc) is bred only vegetatively, the generative method does not guarantee a plant with maternal characteristics. Propagated by layering from the lower branch of an adult plant. Work is carried out in the spring before flowering. It will take 2 years to wait for the material. A faster method is propagation by cuttings. Cuttings are harvested during pruning; for this purpose, the tops of perennial shoots are suitable. They are placed in a container filled with soil. In the early spring, the lighting and temperature are increased. By the time of planting on the site, the cutting gives roots and buds.
Diseases and pests
Large-flowered clematis hybrids have less resistant immunity to infection than varietal small-flowered representatives. Solidarity at low temperatures and high soil moisture can be affected by powdery mildew, the bush is treated with colloidal sulfur or "Topaz". Often observed in young clematis (up to 2 years), a fungal infection that causes wilting of the stems. The plant is treated with preparations containing copper. Slugs parasitize pests, they get rid of them with metaldehydes.
Conclusion
Clematis Solidarity is a Polish breeding hybrid belonging to the second pruning group. The plant continuously forms bright burgundy, large flowers over a long period. The culture is of a semi-shrub type, it grows up to 1.5 meters, has a bright decorative habit, and is used in landscape design.
