Content
Large-flowered clematis are a real decoration of the garden. Such flowers can bring real aesthetic pleasure to visitors, and become a real pride for a florist. One of these species is Clematis Wildfire, the impressive size of which is harmoniously combined with its beauty and grace.
Description of Clematis Wildfire
Clematis large-flowered Wildfire, the description and photo of which are given below, was bred by Polish breeders. It is widely used for decorative purposes, for vertical gardening, decorating gazebos, often they are planted along fences, walls of buildings, nets. The photo below shows a blooming Wildfire clematis.
The main characteristics of the plant are shown in the table below:
Parameter | Value |
A type | Perennial herb of the Buttercup family |
Stem | Curly, 2-3 m |
Leaves | Green, trifoliate. Thanks to the petioles, the plant is held on a support |
Flowers | Large, up to 20 cm, with 6-8 violet-blue petals, in the middle of which there is a longitudinal burgundy or purple blurred stripe |
Flowering period | May-September |
Reproduction | Seeds, cuttings, shoots, dividing the bush |
Planting and caring for Clematis Wildfire
You can plant Wildfire clematis in open ground in both spring and autumn. In both cases, this must be done before the onset of unfavorable conditions - summer heat or frost, which can destroy immature plants. The best time is considered to be the period from late April to mid-May, as well as September. It is better to prepare the landing pits in advance and make them large enough. Their depth should be 50-60 cm, since it is advisable to pour a drainage layer 10-15 cm thick from broken brick, expanded clay or crushed stone on the bottom. Wildfire clematis are planted with a 5-10 cm deep root collar. If there are no buildings or fences near the planting site, the plant is tied to a support. The root zone is spilled abundantly with water and mulched with peat to retain moisture in the soil.
The subsequent care of Wildfire clematis is simple. Up to 3 years of age, watering is carried out quite often, then its intensity is reduced. From the same time, intensive growth of new shoots begins, which can be regulated by pruning or pinching the growth points.
You can use special formulations for this, such as Kemira-universal or complex mineral fertilizers, which must be applied in dissolved form. The plant also responds well to feeding with a solution of slurry.
Reproduction
To preserve all the varietal characteristics of the plant, Clematis Wildfire needs to be propagated not by seeds, but by any vegetative method:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
Cutting is the easiest way to breed Wildfire clematis. You can do this from May to September. Cuttings are cut from the vines of a plant not younger than 2 and not older than 5 years. It is best to use a sharp stationery knife and a regular cutting board for this. The cut is made in such a way that 1-2 cm remain above the internode, and below 5-6. Cuttings can be rooted immediately using containers filled with nutrient soil. You can cook it yourself by mixing sand and peat in equal proportions. To reduce the evaporation of moisture, the sheet plate is cut off.
You can also root Clematis Wildfire in water. In this case, a bunch of cuttings is placed in a glass of water. In about 1.5-2 months, they will give their own roots.After their length reaches 3-4 cm, the cuttings can be planted in the ground. Further stay in the water will lead to their death.
Propagating Clematis Wildfire by layering from the mother bush is also quite simple. For this, in the spring, a young flexible shoot is instilled. After a while, internodes will begin to take root, and a young shoot will develop from each. For the winter, the layers are left with the mother plant, and in the spring they are cut off and planted in a permanent place.
The breeding method of Wildfire clematis by dividing the bush is also a way to rejuvenate it. Over time, the volume of the roots of the plant increases many times, this leads to the fact that the shrub begins to lack nutrients. In this case, it is more expedient to divide the bush into several parts, each of which will subsequently become an independent plant. You can divide plants under the age of 7 years.
This procedure can be carried out in the fall or spring. Shoots are cut almost to the base, leaving only a few buds of renewal on the stumps. After that, the bush is dug out of the ground and divided with a sharp knife into several parts, a division, each of which must contain both the root system and the buds of renewal. The resulting delenki are planted in prepared pits, covered up and spilled abundantly with water.
Video about planting Clematis Wildfire:
Diseases and pests
Wildfire Clematis can be affected by both viral and fungal diseases. The most common diseases of this plant are as follows:
- Withering... Caused by a soil fungus that attacks the roots. The disease can occur due to excessive moisture in the soil or lack of sunlight. Affected plants must be destroyed. Prevention is the treatment of plantings in the spring with an aqueous solution of copper sulfate 1%.
- Gray rot... A fungal disease that manifests itself in cold, damp weather as a gray bloom on the leaves. The affected plants are destroyed, and the plantings are treated with a solution of foundationol.
- Spotting (ascochitis) leaves. It manifests itself in the form of brown spots on the leaves, which then dry out and paint, forming holes. The affected leaves must be cut off, and the plants must be treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
- Powdery mildew... Often appears in hot weather as a white coating on leaves and flowers. The affected parts of the plant must be cut off and destroyed, and then the bushes must be treated with a solution of copper sulfate or soda ash.
- Rust... This fungal disease can be detected by pressing the spore pads that appear on the leaves. When rust appears, the infected parts of the plant are cut off, and then the planting is treated with Bordeaux liquid.
Of the insect pests, the following can cause the most problems for Clematis Wildfire:
- Nematodes... Insects that live in the ground and feed on the roots of plants. It is very difficult to get rid of nematodes, so it is more advisable to abandon the cultivation of Wildfire clematis in this place. As a biological defense, you can plant calendula, marigolds or garlic next to it.
- Spider mite... It is found by a thin cobweb entangling the leaves. It feeds on plant sap, oppressing it. When a spider mite appears, the plants are treated with an infusion of garlic or Actellik.
- Aphid... It sucks the juices out of the plant. If aphid colonies are found, the plants must be treated with insecticides.
To prevent the appearance of pests and diseases, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatments of plants in a timely manner, as well as to loosen and weed the soil, to prevent a strong thickening of the plantings.
Conclusion
Clematis Wildfire not in vain received such a name, which means "wild fire" in translation from English. The flowers of this plant really resemble tongues of flame of an unnatural purple-red color. They look great both just on a green background and in combination with flowers of a different color.Wildfire clematis are unpretentious in care, so even novice florists can grow them.
