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Clematis Taiga is an exotic flower of extraordinary beauty, one of the latest developments of Japanese breeders. Agrotechnics for 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 shoots with support.
Description of clematis Taiga
Clematis Taiga is a perennial climbing plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. This is a popular novelty variety, bred by Japanese breeders, in 2016 he received a silver medal at the Planetarium exhibition in the Netherlands.
Clematis Taiga is characterized by rapid growth and violent flowering. The height of the bush reaches 2 – 2,5 m, width – 0,7 – 1 m. Curly shoots adorn unusual double flowers that have a rich lemon-violet color and change their shape from simple to more complex throughout life. Description and photos of clematis Taiga allow us to conclude that the flowers of the plant are quite large (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 that are located at the edges are painted in a solid purple color, while others are only half purple. The rest of them have a lemon tint. The tips of some petals are wrapped inside.
The leaves are painted in a dark green shade, have smooth edges, can be separate, heart-shaped and trifoliate. The tails located on the leaves help to cling to the supports of clematis.
Winter hardiness of Taiga clematis
Gardeners’ reviews confirm that the frost resistance of clematis Taiga is average. It can be grown in subtropical and temperate climatic zones of the 6th – 9th level. 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 not be covered.
Optimal growing conditions
Prolonged exposure to shading negatively affects the development of the plant, so the seat should be sunny or in partial shade. Clematis also does not tolerate extreme heat. It needs fertile, well-drained, moist soil with a slightly acidic to neutral acidity level. Stagnation of water is detrimental to the root system of clematis.
Planting and caring for a variety of clematis Taiga
With the observance of agricultural technology, the cultivation of clematis varieties Taiga is not difficult. First of all, it should be borne in mind that the vine needs a strong support, which can be used as a variety of 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 advise picking 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. In the ground dug from the landing pit, add:
- 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 planting in autumn, clematis should have vegetative buds, in 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 transplanting better.
Before planting, seedlings are stored at a temperature of 0 to +2 oC, and immediately before planting, along with the containers, they are soaked in water for 10 – 30 minutes.
Rules of landing
The size of the pit for planting clematis should be at least 60 cm in diameter. Landing, depending on climatic conditions, is most often carried out in May or late April. Planting is also possible in autumn.
The distance between clematis bushes, other plants, walls and buildings should be at least 30 cm. A distance of 1,5 – 2 m should be maintained between different clematis. This will avoid plant competition for space and nutrients.
Description of the algorithm for planting clematis variety Taiga:
- dig a landing hole and place a drainage layer about 10 cm thick at the bottom, consisting of rubble and stones;
- pour rotted manure or compost and part of the fertile earth mixture on top;
- place a seedling in the hole so that it is located in the soil 5 – 10 cm deeper than it was located in the container;
- water.
The base of clematis after planting should be slightly shaded. Annual flowers can be planted around to shade the base, but perennials should not be placed close to the root system.
Watering and top dressing
In the summer heat, clematis of the Taiga variety is watered abundantly, while irrigating the foliage with water. Watering is required to be done 2 – 3 times a week. The best time to water is in the evening after sunset. The lack of moisture makes the flowers small and shortens the flowering period.
In the first year after planting, top dressing is not recommended. Starting from the second year, Clematis Taiga needs to be fed in summer and spring, 1 or 2 times every month. At the same time, the constant alternation of mineral and organic fertilizers is important. Fresh manure for top dressing is prohibited.
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 onset 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.
Trimming
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 should remain up to 50 cm, or 2 – 3 buds. This procedure promotes good growth and rapid flowering of clematis.
Preparation for winter
The plant is highly frost resistant. It needs shelter only if the temperature in winter drops below -15 oC. When covered with a cap, frost resistance increases to -25 oC. To build such a shelter, it is necessary to sprinkle the bush with a mixture of dry leaves and Styrofoam crumbs, then cover it with a wooden container on top, which, in turn, must be wrapped in foil and sprinkled with earth.
Damping in the 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 propagate clematis on your own. Which one to choose, each gardener must decide for himself, since they all have their pros and cons. For example, reproduction by layering is carried out only in the fall, and for cuttings and division, the plant must reach a certain age.
Cutting
With the help of cuttings, you can immediately get a lot of new plants. Cuttings are taken only from adult clematis that have reached the age of 3-4 years. The cutting 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 tool to accelerate root formation;
- in a mixture of peat and coarse sand, cuttings are planted up to the first node;
- subsequently, the cuttings need periodic watering and protection from direct sun;
- in the spring they transplant to a permanent place, and for the winter the cuttings are covered with a cap.
Layering
One of the most effective methods is the propagation of clematis Taiga by layering. This procedure is recommended to be done in the fall. Action algorithm:
- dig small ditches around the bush about 10 cm deep;
- place faded shoots in the ditches, fixing them with a wire;
- sprinkle with earth so that about 2,5 cm of the top peeks out of the ditch;
- water and fertilize regularly.
After the top regrowth, this process is repeated, and with the onset of spring, the mother bush is separated from the new plant.
Division of the bush
This propagation method is only suitable for plants over the age of 5 years. To divide the clematis Taiga, it is dug up from one side and the part is separated with a kitchen knife. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that a balance is maintained 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 fusarium damage and wilting. The cause of these diseases is the high humidity of the air and the 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 deal 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 look of any suburban area. As it grows, it clings with its shoots to free-standing and wall supports, thereby creating a real flower carpet. Designers often use this variety of clematis to decorate balconies and terraces.
