Content
Clematis Taiga is an exotic flower of extraordinary beauty, one of the newest developments of Japanese breeders. The agricultural technology of caring for a plant is quite simple, so even a novice gardener will be able to grow it. The main thing is to choose the right place for planting and provide support for the shoots.
Description of clematis Taiga
Clematis Taiga is a perennial climbing plant belonging to the Buttercup family. It is a popular novelty variety, bred by Japanese breeders, in 2016 it received a silver medal at the Planetarium exhibition in the Netherlands.
Clematis Taiga is distinguished by its rapid growth and exuberant flowering. The height of the bush reaches 2 - 2.5 m, width - 0.7 - 1 m. Curly shoots are decorated with extraordinary double flowers, which have a rich lemon-violet color and change their shape from simple to more complex throughout life. Description and photo of clematis Taiga allow us to conclude that the flowers of the plant are large enough (12 - 15 cm). Abundant flowering lasts from June to September.
As you can see from the photo of clematis Taiga, its flowers attract attention with their bright two-tone color. The petals at the edges are solid purple, while the others are only half purple. The rest of them have a lemon hue. The tips of some petals are curled inward.
The leaves are colored in a dark green hue, have smooth edges, can be separate, cordate and trifoliate. Tails located on the leaves help clematis to cling to the supports.
Winter hardiness of clematis Taiga
Reviews of gardeners confirm that the frost resistance of clematis Taiga is average. It can be grown in subtropical and temperate climates of level 6-9. This means that the average winter temperature in the region should not fall below the border of -23 oC. Up to -15 oC clematis can be left uncovered.
Optimal growing conditions
Prolonged exposure to shade negatively affects the development of the plant, so the planting site should be sunny or in partial shade. Clematis also does not tolerate extreme heat. It needs fertile, well-drained moist soil with slightly acidic or neutral acidity levels. Stagnant water is detrimental to the root system of clematis.
Planting and caring for the Taiga clematis variety
Subject to agricultural technology, the cultivation of clematis of the Taiga variety is not difficult. First of all, it should be borne in mind that the vine needs a solid support, which can be used as various screens, arches or other plants.
In the first couple of years, clematis will actively develop roots. As a rule, several shoots are formed, from 1 to 3. Experienced gardeners are advised to pluck the flowers that appear on them. In this case, after 5-6 years, a large number of new shoots with hundreds of exotic flowers will develop.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Since Clematis Taiga is a perennial plant, the planting site should be spacious and the soil should be good. Add to the ground dug from the planting pit:
- humus (2 buckets);
- sand (1 bucket);
- peat (1 bucket);
- lime (150 g);
- mineral fertilizers (150 g);
- superphosphate (100 g);
- ash (100 g).
Seedling preparation
When planted in the autumn, clematis should have vegetative buds, in the autumn - at least 1 shoot. Seedlings should also have 3 roots about 10 cm long. It is best to buy clematis Taiga seedlings with a closed root system: such plants tolerate transplantation better.
Before planting, seedlings are stored in a temperature from 0 to +2 oC, and immediately before planting, together with the containers, they are soaked in water for 10 - 30 minutes.
Landing rules
The size of the pit for planting clematis should be at least 60 cm in diameter. Planting, depending on climatic conditions, is most often done in May or late April. Planting is also possible in the autumn.
The distance between clematis bushes, other plants, walls and buildings should be at least 30 cm. Between different clematis, a distance of 1.5 - 2 m should be kept. This will avoid the competition of plants for space and nutrients.
Description of the planting algorithm for clematis varieties Taiga:
- dig a planting hole and place a drainage layer about 10 cm thick at the bottom, consisting of crushed stone and stones;
- pour rotted manure or compost and part of the fertile soil mixture on top;
- place a seedling in a hole so that it is located in the soil 5 - 10 cm deeper than it was in the container;
- water.
The base of clematis must be slightly shaded after planting. Annual flowers can be planted around the base to shade, but perennial plants should not be placed close to the root system.
Watering and feeding
In the summer heat, clematis of the Taiga variety is watered abundantly, while sprinkling the foliage with water. Watering is required 2 - 3 times a week. The best time to water is in the evening hours after sunset. The lack of moisture makes the flowers small and helps to shorten the flowering time.
In the first year after planting, feeding is not recommended. Starting from the second year, Clematis Taiga must be fed in summer and spring, 1 or 2 times per month. At the same time, a constant alternation of mineral and organic fertilizers is important. It is forbidden to use fresh manure for fertilizing.
Mulching and loosening
Immediately after planting, the soil around the clematis must be sprinkled with a thin layer of pine or deciduous bark, coniferous litter or wood chips. This is done because the plant does not tolerate overheating of the soil. With the onset of winter and the beginning of the first cold weather, the thickness of the mulch layer is increased by 10 cm.
So that a crust does not form on the surface of the earth after watering, the soil must be periodically loosened.
Pruning
The clematis variety Taiga belongs to the third (strong) pruning group, which means that during cold snaps all dead shoots must be removed, and live ones should be cut almost to the end. Above the ground, there should be up to 50 cm, or 2 - 3 buds. This procedure promotes good growth and vigorous flowering of clematis.
Preparing for winter
The plant is highly frost-resistant. It needs shelter only if the temperature in winter falls below -15 oC. When covered with a cap, frost resistance increases to -25 oC. For the construction of such a shelter, it is necessary to sprinkle the bush with a mixture of dry leaves and crumbs of foam plastic, and then cover it on top with a wooden container, which, in turn, must be wrapped in foil and sprinkled with earth.
Damping off in spring is no less dangerous for clematis than severe winter frosts. It is important to remove the shelter in time with the onset of thaws. However, if done too early, the plant may freeze. The main thing here is the golden mean.
Reproduction of hybrid clematis Taiga
In case you don't want to buy ready-made seedlings, there are several ways to self-propagate clematis. Which one to choose, each gardener must decide for himself, since they all have their pros and cons. For example, propagation by layering is carried out only in the fall, and for grafting and dividing the plant must reach a certain age.
Cuttings
With the help of cuttings, you can get many new plants at once. Cuttings are taken only from adult clematis that have reached the age of 3-4 years. The grafting technology is quite simple:
- before flowering begins, cuttings 5-6 cm long, growing in the middle of the shoot, are cut at an angle of 45o;
- after which they are treated with a special agent to accelerate root formation;
- in a mixture of peat and coarse sand, cuttings are planted to the first node;
- subsequently, the cuttings need periodic watering and protection from direct sun;
- in the spring, they are transplanted to a permanent place, and for the winter, the cuttings are covered with a cap.
Layers
One of the most effective methods is the propagation of clematis Taiga by layering. This procedure is recommended in the fall. Algorithm of actions:
- dig small ditches about 10 cm deep around the bush;
- place faded shoots in the ditches, fixing them with a wire;
- sprinkle with earth so that about 2.5 cm of the top looks out of the ditch;
- water and feed regularly.
After the top grows back, this process is repeated, and with the onset of spring, the mother bush is separated from the new plant.
Dividing the bush
This propagation method is only suitable for plants aged 5 years and older. To divide clematis Taiga, it is dug in from one side and part of it is separated with a kitchen knife. At the same time, care must be taken to maintain a balance between the shoots and the root system.
Diseases and pests
The most common problem for Taiga clematis is fungal diseases. Most of all, the flower is prone to damage by Fusarium and wilting. The cause of these diseases is the high humidity of the air and earth.
The roots of the plant are often damaged by moles, nematodes and bears, shoots - by aphids, slugs, scale insects, snails or spider mites. A preventive measure to protect against pests is the addition of mineral fertilizers containing ammonia to the soil. You can also cope with pests with the help of protective plants, for this it is enough to plant calendula, marigolds, parsley or dill nearby.
Conclusion
Clematis Taiga is an unusual climbing plant that can transform the appearance of any suburban area. As it grows, it clings with its shoots to free-standing and wall supports, thereby creating a real floral carpet. Designers often use this variety of clematis to decorate balconies and terraces.
