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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2006 14:12:09 GMT
...... need cutting back or should I let it "do it's own thing?"   |
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Post by Plocket on Oct 12, 2006 14:30:41 GMT
It does seem a bit top-heavy Rita!!! You can cut back montanas but it's best to do so after flowering. However, if you want to do it now, you could cut off some of the bulk from lower down, cutting off whole stems and pulling them out, and leaving the rest to continue growing. Does that make sense? Px
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2006 14:34:37 GMT
Mmmm ....... well now ....... do I cut some off or leave it until after flowering and let the new house owner cut it back. It's the north facing side of the plant that has grown really thick. I thought that clematis liked their feet in the shade and their heads in the sun |
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 12, 2006 14:55:27 GMT
Personally if it was me, as you are moving (soon hopefully) I would leave it be it does make a good mask for that pole. Maybe just trim a few new bits off to keep some shape to it.
They can be so invasive if you let them. I always forgot to prune mine after flowering and it rampaged up a very large Lime tree, it looked fab up there especially when in flower but had started to bend all the branches on the tree. It has now gone to Clem heaven.
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Post by JennyWrenn on Oct 13, 2006 6:28:00 GMT
My montana must be the only one in the UK that doesnt ramble and scramble to such an extent - I have tried everything but it still climbs slowly across the fence - i think it is 2 or 3 years old now and has hardly any flowers - doesnt seem to want to climb up the fence at all - just a few tendrils clinging on  It is barely visible - I have fed it and had long in-depth chats but maybe it is a type of bonsai montana ;D ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2006 6:48:23 GMT
jennywrenn - are the roots of your clem shaded in some way?  I grew the one in the photo from cuttings taken about 3 years ago, I planted 4 of them to be on the safe side but all 4 flourished. I put a thick layer of gravel around the base of the plants, and attached chicken wire to the telegraph pole too. |
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Post by Plocket on Oct 13, 2006 7:12:22 GMT
Hia Jenny! Is your montana shaded much? They can cope with some shade but prefer sunlight. And they do take a few years to settle in. And as Rita suggests some sort of gravel or pebble mulch would help probably help.
Px
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2006 8:18:54 GMT
Clems like their feet in the shade but their heads in the sun |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2006 19:09:52 GMT
Jennywrenn
What sort of montana is it ? I've got a montana 'rubens' which goes a bit mad but also a montana 'primrose star', which doesn't !
Maybe you've got one of the non-mad ones !
FA x
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2006 9:32:40 GMT
Clematis rule number two :- flowers before June - don't prune! But you can shape it - don't go mad.
Rule number one:- feet in the shade, head in the sun.
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