Clematis Montana

[gessoo]

I transplanted a clematis from a position where it was struggling into a large tub two years ago. It is thriving but has now become a low bushy plant with no flowers. Does this mean it will never climb or flower again? I usually do well with clematis, but don't know what has happened to this one. It didn't flower when it was in its original position but at least it climbed!

[hammerman]

Has it become pot bound ? It might benifit from being given a good feed almost every time you water it with a quater strength liquid food such as miracle grow.

Then, next spring (march time), take it out of the pot, tease away all the old soil and cut away about 1/4 of the roots and repot in the same container.

You'll be amaized how starved things get in tubs especially quick growing plants such as clematis montana and wisteria

[gessoo]

Thanks for your answer hammerman. It's definitely not pot bound and I have fed it. It was put into a huge container and I fully intended transplanting it into the garden soil as soon as it got going, but it has taken on a completely different form. Loads of new shoots every year, really abundant healthy looking leaves but nothing grows above 9" tall!!

I have a huge garden with several types of clematis and my other montanas are rampant. This one never had any flowers when in was first positioned and never did very well (although it did climb). I hesitate to part with it as it was a birthday present from an old friend who has since passed away. I think it was called 'Clematis Montana Alexander', but have lost the label.

I will do as you say and give it extra feed this year, but am still puzzled.

Best wishes.

[linzi1]

clematis dont like to have there roots too hot so try adding gravel or pebbles around the base of the plant, try also checking out the roots to make sure nothing eating them too. you could also try pinching out the some of the new shoots and it will help to encourage the other shoots to produce flowers

[gessoo]

Thanks Linzi1. The clematis roots are in a cool place and are covered with gravel. There are no main climbing shoots, they are all at the same height. I will try and pinch out a lot of these small shoots though and see what happens.

[Plocket]

It might still be too young to flower. Some montanas can take about 4 years to flower, others flower more quickly. Or it might be adapting to it's new position I guess. Oh and I use high-potash fertilizer on my clematis when I'm watering them as they are hungry plants. Good luck!

[WendyS]

Possibly your plant is still sulking about being moved. I relocated a fairly new montana after deciding I'd put it in the wrong place. Now, two years later it's just starting to bear flowers again (didn't have any last year). I'd give it one more year before pulling the plug on it but they are fairly rampant plants and however big your container I wouldn't really recommend keeping it in one for much longer because in their normal state their roots do like to spread.