A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.
Sign In or Register to join the conversation
Really hope someone sees this. I have just had to cut back my very old clematis only to discover that the reason it was not doing well is due to the fact that the main stem is hollow and there is a huge ants nest in the middle of it :(
I am going to cut back as far as I dare, I have some excellent compost I can feed it with but any other suggestions gratefully received.
Caroline in Jersey
Edit:-
I am pleased to say it has survived the major surgery - photos to follow if the forum allows
Cin J
Hmmm, tricky. Nothing to be done about the hollow stem, obviously but if there are other stems, plonking some compost on top, watering well and waiting and seeing is about all you can do. Unfortunately the ants may do their worst on the new growth too. If it is a gonner (and I hope not) and you plant a new one, well away from the ants' nest will be a good idea. Good luck Caroline, I do hope it come back for you and the ants let you enjoy it:-)
Thanks Doggie and Kezsmum, I think it is going to be a fingers crossed situation. The plant is over 40 and of sentimental value. It was one of the first things that DH's parents planted after they had this house built and it is a beautiful clematis.
I'm only guessing but I'd say the ants are exploiting a niche caused by the clematis's great age. If you can get some new shoots to grow you could maybe secure it for the future by taking cuttings. I'm not sure but I think layering may be an option - I'll look into it and see if I can gather info:-)
Banking it up with compost might well encourage new growth from under the ground - have a newly planted clematis that didn't enjoy all the snow but has srung away from under the earth.
If there are any other shoots it might be an idea to try layering, to see if they might offer hope. Next door has 3 old clematis that like our garden ;-)) so I've taken some layered cuttings - still attached to the main plant but they are all looking good so might be able to unattach them next spring!!
Living here not sure about ants as only see them in pine woods - sorry.
You are not alone (although took a while to find!!)
'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks' John Muir.
Excuse wobbily dyslexic spelling!
Doggie, I think it was probably opportunist invasion!
Kezsmum, that would be great. I am actually really surprised that it has flowered and put on new shoots. The pith has totally gone.
Osprey - yes I thought layering might be an option, often works well with climbers - I've been toting about bits of a honeysuckle I get from layering, the original plant graced the garden of three houses ago:-) Cuttings are a good way to ensure the future of a treasured, sentimentally significant plant. When do you take your clematis layers? Do you prepare the soil to layer it into at all? I made up pots for the honeysuckle and layered into those, I think I added a bit of course sand to the existing soil as I recall. I know clematis respond quite well to unsieved, home made compost as a growing medium, they apparently like the loose structure, would that do for layering or should it be quite gritty as you use for something like pinks for example? Or doesn't any of that matter?
Hi Kezsmum,
I tend to work on the philosophy that if the plant is growing well where it is, it likes the soil its in, so that is what I tend to use. I just scrap a bit of bark away on the bottom of the stem that I'm using, just dig out a bit of soil where I'm working pop the stem in with a bit of compost, worm casts or leaf mould depending what I have. Cover, then pop a stone on top to stop the stem from springing up. I try to remember to water, then ignore for a yr+. Once it looks established I cut from the mother stem, leave for a wee bit, then relocate if wanted. I'm really hap hazzard about when but gen do this when the sap is rising to give as long as possible for the roots to get started before the plant goes dormant. I've not used grit with clematis prefering to go for leaf mould or worm casts as that is the type of enviroment they tend to grow in in the wild. Good luck with it.
The clematis I thought I'd lost in the winter has sprung away, yipee!! I'd treated myself to a 'climbing fushia' last autumn, was sure it had gone but left it + low its coming away v tentivley, but well its a start!!
Thanks for the tips Osprey:-)) Germain, there's your answer in Osprey's last post here. Good luck with it, hope it saves the day and the clematis:-) I will remember your excellent advice Osprey, should I want to take cuttings of a clematis:-) It's roughly the same as I do with honeysuckle, only I layered mine into pots as I was moving house.
Thanks for he kind words Km, G hope that you have lots of luck with your clematis!!
Km layered into pots is great esp when the stems not bendy / long enough / your moving, to reach the ground. Have used this like Kezsmum with honeysuckle also rhodies, azaleas + hollies.
I've done this with quite a few bits + pieces that I like from 'the neighbour's gardens'!!
Have fun!!
Thank you Osprey and Kezsmum, Sorry I missed the later replies, got lost somewhere to the right of the tearoom and nearly ran out of string to find my way back with. It has been hacked back, watered and given super dooper worm compost and now left to get on with it.