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Clematis Asao is one of the old varieties bred by the Japanese breeder Kaushige Ozawa in 1977. It appeared on European territory in the early 80s. Refers to early flowering, large-flowered clematis. Lianas cling well to supports; they are used for vertical gardening in the summer. Flowers of the Asao variety are moderately growing and suitable for container growing.
Description of clematis Asao
Clematis Asao vines reach a length of 3 m. Flowering occurs in 2 stages:
- first – from May to June on shoots from the previous year;
- second - from August to September on shoots that appeared this year.
The flowers form large, simple or semi-double, with a diameter of 12 to 20 cm. The sepals form a lanceolate or elliptical shape with pointed edges, in an amount of 5 to 8 pieces. Below is a photo of the Asao clematis showing its two-tone color: white in the middle, in the form of a stripe, and deep pink along the edge. The stamens are large, yellow or yellow and green.
The frost resistance of hybrid clematis Asao belongs to zones 4-9 and means that the plant can withstand maximum winter temperatures of -30... -35°C. But these indicators relate to the preservation of roots, and the remaining above-ground shoots need high-quality shelter. Otherwise, reviews of clematis grandiflora Asao describe the plant as unpretentious.
Clematis pruning group Asao
Clematis Asao, like most Japanese varieties, belongs to the 2nd pruning group. To get early flowering with the largest and semi-double flowers, the shoots of the current year must be preserved. In autumn, about 10 of the most developed stems are left, shortening them to a height of at least 1 m from the ground. During the winter they are protected; the best way is air-dry shelter.
Conditions for growing clematis Asao
According to the photo and description, the growing conditions for clematis large-flowered Asao differ from other large-flowered varieties. Clematis Asao does not tolerate constant direct sunlight on the vines. Therefore, it is planted in well-lit areas, but with the possibility of shading at midday.
The base and roots of the plant, like other clematis, should be in constant shade. To do this, low-growing annual flowers are planted at the base of the plants. Clematis are often grown together with roses. To do this, when planting, their root systems are separated by a barrier.
Over the years, the plant grows a large volume of green mass, so it needs reliable support. When growing near walls and fences, make a 50 cm indent. Rainwater from the roof should not fall on the vegetative part.
Soils suitable for clematis Asao are light, fertile, with good water permeability and neutral acidity.
Planting and caring for clematis Asao
The beginning of the growing season for Asao clematis is early. Spring planting is carried out along dormant buds, which is more suitable for regions with warm springs. In colder regions, Asao clematis is best left in planting containers until autumn. At this time, the root system is active and the plants take root well in their permanent location.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Clematis Asao is planted in areas with a groundwater level below 1.2 m. Sandy or heavy soils are improved by mixing them with humus and peat. Rotted manure and complex mineral fertilizers are added to poor soils. Strongly acidic soils are limed. Before planting, the soil is dug deeply and loosened.
When choosing a site, the planting area is laid out with a margin, taking into account the growth of clematis and the fact that the ground around the plant cannot be trampled. The distance between individual plants is maintained at 1 m.
Seedling preparation
The root system of the seedling is inspected before planting. It must have more than 5 healthy, well-developed roots. Swelling on the roots indicates nematode damage; such plants should not be planted. For disinfection, roots are sprayed with fungicide solutions.
If the seedling begins to grow while in a container, planting is carried out only after the shoots have lignified, and the growth point is pinched. If the seedling has a long shoot at the time of planting, it is cut off by one third.
Landing rules
To plant clematis Asao, prepare a deep and wide planting hole, 50-60 cm in size on all sides.The excavated soil is then used to fill the hole.
The excavated soil is filled with 10 liters of compost or humus, 1 tbsp. ash and 50 g each of superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Planting plan:
- 15 cm of drainage is poured into the bottom of the planting hole.
- Add part of the prepared fertilized soil, filling it with a mound.
- The seedling is released into the planting hole so that the tillering center is buried 5-10 cm.
- A sand-ash mixture is poured onto the center of the root system.
- The planting hole is filled with the remaining soil mixture.
- During the season, the soil is gradually added to the general soil level.
Deep planting is important for the formation of a strong tillering center and plant viability. In the soil in the center of tillering, new buds develop, from which new shoots are constantly formed. Deep planting preserves the roots in frosty winters and from summer overheating.
Watering and fertilizing
Clematis is demanding on soil moisture, especially in the summer, when it is necessary to supply a large volume of leaf apparatus with moisture. With sufficient watering, the plant tolerates high temperatures well and the leaves do not overheat.
In the middle zone they water once every 5 days, in the southern regions more often. Water only with warm water, preferably rainwater.
Water is poured not at the root, but along the diameter, retreating 25-30 cm from the center of tillering. But the best way to water clematis Asao is underground, so moisture does not get on the leaves and does not erode the root zone. Drip irrigation also prevents the soil from drying out and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Mulching and loosening
Loosening is carried out after watering or precipitation, on moist but not wet soil.Loosening with garden tools can damage tender shoots and roots. Therefore, to keep the soil loose, mulching is used. A soil crust does not form on the covered soil, so there is no need for constant loosening.
Peat, humus, and compost are applied to the soil as a protective layer. Good materials are also special tree trunk circles made of coconut fibers or wood chips. Materials and substrates are laid out without affecting the base of the shoots. It is not recommended to use straw or leaves as mulch due to the possibility of rodents infesting them.
Pruning large-flowered clematis Asao
The first pruning is carried out after planting, leaving 2/3 of the shoot. Repeated pruning is carried out the following year before budding begins. When covering in the first winter, the shoots are cut off completely.
In the future, clematis Asao is formed according to the 2nd pruning group. During the entire growing season, dry and broken shoots are removed. Pruning is carried out with a clean, disinfected instrument to avoid infection.
Preparing for winter
Before covering, the stems and soil under the bushes are freed from foliage and sprayed with copper-containing preparations. When the first frost occurs, the plant is cut off, the remaining shoots are removed from the support and very carefully rolled into a ring.
Spruce branches are placed under the stems and on top, and the tillering area is covered with dry sand. Arches or another frame are installed above the plant and covered with film. Black material is not used for shelter so that the plants do not overheat.The covering material is fixed, and a gap is made at the bottom for air to pass through.
In the spring, the shelter is removed gradually so that return frosts do not damage the buds. Clematis Asao begins to grow early, so late removal of cover can also destroy the emerging shoots. In the future, reserve buds will sprout, but flowering will be weak.
Reproduction
Clematis Asao is propagated vegetatively using different parts of the plant.
Reproduction methods:
- By cuttings. Planting material is taken from 2-3-year-old clematis during the budding period. The cutting is cut from the middle of the stem; it should contain: one node, developed leaves and buds. Leave 1 cm of stem above the node and one leaf on the cutting. Root the cutting vertically in a container with wet sand, deepening it to 5 cm.
- By layering. To do this, the stem is freed from leaves, pressed to the soil, covered with a sand-ash mixture, and watered. A month later, a new shoot appears from each bud, which is cut off from the mother stem and grown separately.
- Dividing the bush. The method is only suitable for mature and strong bushes. To do this, the plant is completely dug up and the rhizome is divided with a sharp tool into independent parts, where shoots and buds are present.
For clematis, the method of propagation by seeds is also used. It is less popular due to the fact that in many growing regions the seeds do not have time to ripen.
Diseases and pests
Clematis Asao, when grown properly, is rarely susceptible to disease. But one of the dangerous diseases is wilt - infectious wilt. Caused by soil fungi that spread through the vessels and block the flow of moisture to the plant.
Wilting cannot be treated; infected shoots are immediately removed and the area is sprayed with fungicides. With this disease, the plant is not completely damaged and subsequently forms healthy shoots.
To prevent the appearance of pathogenic microflora during planting, sprinkle the soil around the clematis with a mixture of sand and ash. The sand is pre-disinfected. Every year at the beginning of the season, the soil in the growing area is limed.
More rarely, clematis is affected by powdery mildew, rust and ascochyta, but the appearance of diseases causes great harm to the crop. To prevent their occurrence, clematis are sprayed with copper-containing preparations in the spring before flowering.
A serious plant pest is the nematode. It can be detected by swellings on the roots and gradual withering of the vines. There is no treatment, the plants must be destroyed, and then they are not grown in the same place for 4-5 years.
Conclusion
Clematis Asao of Japanese selection is distinguished by delicate flowering and large volume of leaves. The first flowering is more intense and occurs on last year's shoots, the second begins at the end of summer and, depending on the growing region, can last until autumn. According to the photo and description, clematis variety Asao is easy to care for, but requires winter shelter.
