Contents
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. A 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 woody main stems and flexible, strong shoots. During the growing season, clematis Solidarity grows up to 1,5 meters. The variety belongs to the semi-shrubs, requires the installation of a structure that supports the vine. As the plant grows, it is fixed to the support with the help of leaf petioles. The hybrid does not grow very quickly, it forms many young shoots with pale 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 Our Country it is shorter. Clematis Solidarity blooms continuously, the first flowers appear on the shoots of the second year, then they form on young stems. Flowering is plentiful, the bush is completely covered with a solid burgundy carpet.
Clematis Solidarity is one of the most popular varieties. Frost resistance of a plant is a necessary quality for a temperate climate. Drought tolerance is a priority in the South. Solidarity is cultivated practically all over Our Country.
External characteristic:
- The clematis bush Solidarity is compact, densely leafy, the leaf plate is light green, smooth with pronounced veins, mesh. Leaves are lanceolate, opposite, medium-sized, ternate.
- The root system of a mixed type, widely overgrown, extending to a depth of 2 m.
- The plant is dioecious, the flowers are large – 18 cm in diameter, consist of 6 sepals, the shape is oblong, oval, tapering towards the top. The velvety surface is bright burgundy in 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 on long, thin, light yellow filaments arranged in a semicircle.
Clematis Solidarity is used for decorative design of the site in mass plantings with varieties of various (white, pink, blue, blue) flower colors. They are used to form arches, hedges, walls that define garden zones, for vertical gardening of arbors.
Clematis pruning group Solidarity
Clematis (marque) 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. At best, these will be single buds on the bottom of the bush.
The second group includes most of the varieties of hybrid clematis. Growing the Solidarity variety requires certain knowledge of agricultural technology:
- it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the lashes when they are removed from the support, the vine is rather fragile;
- a plant improperly sheltered for the winter may not retain its buds, and high humidity will cause the stems to rot near the root;
- the inner part of the bush is a comfortable place for wintering small rodents, in the 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 during care. The original ornamental plant will stand out among other varieties with the beauty of the bush and continuous abundant flowering.
Conditions for growing clematis Solidarity
Covering crops, which include the hybrid clematis Solidarity, grow in height until they reach adulthood. Then only reinforce the bush with side shoots. The length of perennial vines remains unchanged.
Install the trellis in such a way as to remove the stems with minimal loss. Clematis Solidarity is not suitable for decorating the walls of buildings. The close location of the building will raise the air temperature in summer, making it difficult to remove it from the support. Clematis needs a well-ventilated place, but without a sharp north wind.
Planting and caring for clematis Solidarity
Clematis varieties of the second pruning group grow more slowly than representatives of other groups. For vegetation, they need a lot of light. The root circle should be free from any plants. The composition of the soil is slightly acidic or neutral, fertile, loose. The soil is sandy or loamy with abundant humus. The earth should not be dry or waterlogged.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Plot for clematis Solidarity is determined taking into account that the root system is in the shade, stems and young shoots in the open. For photosynthesis, the plant needs an excess of ultraviolet light. Not the last role for clematis Solidarity is played by the composition of the soil and the size of the pit.
Planting recesses are prepared 10 days before planting the crop. The pit 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 at the bottom. Prepare the nutrient mixture:
- sand – 3 kg;
- peat – 3 kg;
- compost – 5 kg;
- ash – 200 g;
- superphosphate – 100 g;
- nitrophoska – 200 g.
Seedling preparation
Clematis seedlings Solidarity, harvested on their own, are stored in a dark room at + 1-3 in winter 0C, after the appearance of the kidneys, the planting material is taken out to a well-lit place. Before planting, they are removed from the soil where the cuttings 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 is not younger than 5 years;
- planting is carried out before the main sap flow;
- each plot should be equipped with a healthy root system and five full-fledged 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 was not subjected to the procedure before sale.
Rules of landing
With the mass planting of clematis, Solidarity between the holes is left at 70 cm. The sequence of actions:
- A seedling is installed in the center, the roots are distributed along the bottom.
- Pour in the rest of the nutrient mixture.
- Deepen the root neck by 7-9 cm.
- The root circle is compacted and watered with organic matter.
Watering and top dressing
A prerequisite – when watering, waterlogging of the soil and drying of the top layer should not be allowed. An adult plant is watered with a large volume of water 2 times a month. Young seedlings are watered regularly, focusing on the amount of precipitation. The root circle must be moist, the soil loose, and the presence of weeds is strictly prohibited.
Large-flowered varieties of the second pruning group require constant feeding. Clematis Solidarity fertilize:
- in early May – urea;
- at the time of budding – “Agricola-7”;
- after flowering – organic;
- in the fall – superphosphate, potassium-containing products.
During the formation of flowers, the plants are treated with the Bud stimulant.
Mulching and loosening
Loosening clematis Solidarity is carried out constantly, regardless of age. Do not allow compaction of the top layer of soil and the development of weeds. Mulch the culture to retain moisture, to prevent overheating of the fibrous part of the root.
It is recommended to spud the plant, cover it with mowed grass or last year’s leaves from above. You can plant low-growing flowers around the perimeter of the basal circle. Symbiosis will protect clematis from overheating, and provide flowering plants with periodic shading.
Clematis pruning Solidarity
Pruning is carried out in the fall after the foliage has fallen:
- If necessary, shorten perennial stems by 15-20 cm.
- Remove underdeveloped young shoots.
- Cut off the part of the crown that has dried up over the summer.
All work is carried out after removing the vine from the support.
Preparation for winter
Clematis Solidarity refers to covering varieties. The plant must be covered in the fall, regardless of the weather conditions of the region. Preparation for winter consists in carrying out the following activities:
- The seedling is abundantly watered under the root.
- Remove the stems from the support, cut.
- Roll into a ring.
- A layer of leaves is poured onto the ground, stems are placed on them.
- Increase the layer of mulch.
- Arcs are installed above 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. You will have to wait 2 years for the material. A faster method is breeding by cuttings. Cuttings are harvested during pruning; the tops of perennial shoots are suitable for this purpose. They are placed in a container with soil. Earlier in the spring, increase the lighting and temperature. By the time of landing on the site, the stalk 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 old) fungal infection, causing wilting of the stems. The plant is treated with preparations containing copper. Of the pests, slugs parasitize, metaldehydes get rid of them.
Conclusion
Clematis Solidarity is a hybrid of Polish selection, belonging to the second pruning group. The plant continuously forms bright burgundy, large flowers over a long period. Semi-bush type culture, grows up to 1,5 meters, has a bright decorative habit, is used in landscape design.
