Clematis are pop climbing vine that create gorgeous blossom in a variety of colors . With right maintenance , these plants can grow smartly and blossom prolifically . One of the keys to success with clematis is feeding them the right fertilizer . Here is a complete guide to choosing and using the best fertiliser for your clematis .

Clematis Have Hungry Roots

Clematis are profound feeder and need regular doses of nutrient to support riotous growth and maximise inflorescence . Their source aggressively take up nutrients from the soil . It ’s easy for them to deplete soils of fertility . render auxiliary fertiliser is of import .

The Ideal NPK Ratios

The number on a fertilizer refer to the percentages of N ( N ) , morning star ( atomic number 15 ) , and atomic number 19 ( K ) it contains . This is known as the NPK ratio . dissimilar plant demand different proportions of these cardinal food

For clematis , look for fertiliser with an NPK ratio that has a higher percentage of daystar than nitrogen and potassium . Phosphorus advance bud organisation and blooming . A proportion like 5 - 10 - 5 or 10 - 15 - 10 is ideal . deflect high N fertilizers which promote excessive leafage outgrowth over flower .

Organic or Synthetic Fertilizer?

you may pick out organic or synthetic fertilizer for clematis . Organic choice like bone meal , blood meal , chicken manure , and compost provide soft grade of nutrition . Synthetic plant food often leave in bigger plant and more fecund blooms . But they have a high potential to foul soil and water .

Granular vs. Liquid Fertilizer

Granular fertilizers ply boring , steady dismissal of nutrients lasting 3 - 6 months Liquid fertilizer offer rapid uptake but must be apply more frequently Granular is broadly speaking easier to use while liquidity gives more ascendancy over feeding .

How to Properly Feed Clematis

Granular fertilizer can be figure out into the stain around plants . liquidity is either poured directly on the soil or diluted with pee for a foliar spray . Stop feeding clematis altogether once they go dormant after the first hard frost .

The 6 Best Fertilizers for Clematis

1. Espoma Organic Bone Meal

This 4 - 12 - 0 constituent preparation made from bones and phosphorous Elvis provides a natural phosphorus boost . It tardily liberate nutrition over 2 - 4 months . The low atomic number 7 advance abundant blush . Can be mixed into soil or used to side garb .

2. Jobe’s Organics Flower Fertilizer Spikes

These pre - measured spikes offer organic nutrition in convenient covering . Just inclose into land around plant life . Their 3 - 5 - 3 ratio supplies steady feeding for 2 - 3 months with minimum risk of suntan . slap-up for potted plant .

3. Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster

A various 10 - 30 - 20 water - soluble fertiliser that can be adjust based on your soil ’s needs . Use weekly at full strength in poor soils or dilute for ample soil . Promotes vigorous growth and prolonged bloom time .

4. Dr. Earth Flower Fertilizer

An constitutional 4 - 8 - 4 mix that include probiotics and mycorrhizae fungi to stimulate soil biology and root growth . Provides dull release feeding for 2 - 3 months . Made from bone repast , chicken manure , sulphate of potash and more .

5. Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed

These easy to apply 10 - 15 - 10 granules provide consistent feeding for 3 month . Just shake off over the land around plants . Contains nitrogen , Lucifer , potassium plus micronutrients . run through the roots so dependable for all works .

6. Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed

A melted 2 - 3 - 1 fertilizer made from Pisces emulsion and seaweed . It provides a quick nutrient boost with each app . Can be sprayed at once on leave-taking and grime . Builds helpful biology . Has a strong fishy smell .

Fertilizing Tips for Optimal Clematis Blooms

With the correct fertilizer and right feeding technique , your clematis will honour you with vigorous ontogeny and masses of colorful flowers . yield close attention to their needs , opt an appropriate fertilizer , and feed them regularly through the growing time of year . But quash overdoing it , especially when buds start forming . A little clock plant food goes a long way towards growing clematis successfully .

Best Time to Fertilize Clematis

The in force time to feed and fertilize your clematis is in the bound and in small amounts all through the develop time of year . You have two options : the round-eyed would be a slow - release plant food in spring . The ideal choice would be a balanced fertilizer such as 10 - 10 - 10 or a lower nitrogen type like 5 - 10 - 5 . This will provide small - cardinal , unfaltering eating .

More can be done to improve blossom . Every 4 to 6 week during the grow season , switch from a low-pitched - nitrogen plant food to a balanced liquid fertiliser .

How to Fertilize Clematis

One of the first condition is that Clematis opt a neutral soil in the pH range of 5 . 5 - 7 . 0 , so ensure your grime is in that compass before you implant , whether it ’s in a tidy sum or a garden bed . catch a test from the farming annexe office in your county is the best and most accurate way to do this , but you could also use uncomplicated kit at home .

Agricultural hydrated lime can be used to make soil less acidic if it is too acidic otherwise . When you plant and mulch the roots to keep them cool and check how much nutrients the flora takes in , compost is a great accession .

Once your plant starts to make buds , tack to a fertilizer that is lower in N and higher in atomic number 19 and atomic number 15 . Too much nitrogen will advance leaf to grow instead of flowers . This is specially important in springtime when buds are about 2 ” long . After that , some expert say to trade between the low - nitrogen fertilizer and a balanced liquid plant food like 10 - 10 - 10 every four to six week until August .

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Keep the vine consistently well - watered , but not squashy , throughout the growing time of year for the best results .

Caring for clematis – Golden Rules

FAQ

What is the expert thing to feed clematis ?

Is Miracle - Gro a good fertilizer for clematis ?

Is 10 - 10 - 10 plant food good for clematis vines ?

Is 20/20/20 fertilizer good for clematis ?