What Is Germinating Clematis?

Identification

• Germinating clematis refers to a clematis vine that is in the process of initially sprouting from seed and growing. When a gardener introduces clematis into the landscape or it reproduces in the wild, the seed within the ground sprouts from the earth; this is the process of germination. The genus Clematis includes not only vines but also non-climbing plants, groundcovers and shrubs. It is a member of the buttercup family and Clematis includes at least 290 species and hundreds of cultivars.

Growth Features

• Upon germinating, Clematis vines may grow as long as 30 feet or as short as 2 feet. The rate of germination depends on whether the particular Clematis species demands moist growing conditions or better appreciates a dry climate and soil. Some Clematis species are considered invasive and may grow out of control, seriously threatening the health and resources available to other types of plants in the area. Clematis vines are typically grown on trellises or encouraged to stretch over walls.

Planting Clematis

• The initial steps of germinating Clematis -- planting it -- normally occur in the spring. The typical, ideal site has at least 6 hours of daily sunlight, moist soil and good air circulation. The immature Clematis plant should be placed about 1 inch deeper in the soil than it was being grown in the container; this will protect the crown of the plant. Adding mulch and water will speed up the germination process and fertilizer may also help.

Germinating Timeframe

• Some species of Clematis will see their seeds germinate in six weeks or less while others may require one year or more. One type of Clematis, the large-flowered Clematis, has a seed that remains dormant for up to 3 years. Therefore, germinating Clematis may require patience. Containers or seed trays may be used to germinate the plant, but Clematis typically produce long roots, so deep containers will make the process of transplanting easier and less stressful to the plant.