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Clematis Little Mermaid belongs to the Japanese selection. The author of the variety in 1994 was Takashi Watanabe. In translation, the variety is called “little mermaid”. Belongs to the class of large-flowered, early-flowering clematis. A light-loving, climbing plant is used for vertical gardening.
Description of clematis Little Mermaid
Clematis Little Mermaid belongs to the group of vines. The shoots reach a length of up to 2 m. For cultivation, it is necessary to install supports on which the plant will climb.
Little Mermaid flowers are soft pink with a salmon tint. The anthers form a bright light yellow center. According to photos and reviews, clematis Little Mermaid forms large flowers, with a diameter of 8 to 12 cm. Flowering is long and abundant. During the warm season there are two waves of flowering, the first - from May to June on the shoots of the previous year, the second - in August-September on the shoots formed this year.
The frost resistance of the variety belongs to zones 4-9. The root system of the plant can withstand frosts down to -35°C. But the shoots remaining above the ground, on which flower buds are formed at the end of the current season, must be covered.
Clematis Little Mermaid pruning group
Clematis grandiflora Little Mermaid belongs to the second group of pruning. Shoots are pruned twice per season. Last year's stems are cut off for the first time after flowering has ended. Remove the faded part or, if the shoot is weak, cut it off completely.
The shoots that appeared this year are pruned lightly, leaving 10-15 nodes. Remove diseased or weak stems completely. If the shoots of the current year from a Little Mermaid plant are completely cut off, flowering will begin only at the end of summer and will be few in number.
Planting and caring for clematis Little Mermaid
Clematis Little Mermaid is planted in a warm, sunny place, in an area without a tendency to waterlogging and drafts. For planting, loose soil with good water permeability and neutral acidity is required.
When planting, clematis Little Mermaid is buried 5-10 cm below the soil level. Soil is gradually poured into the resulting funnel over the course of the season. The soil under clematis must be mulched. The root collar is covered with sand. The base of the plant must be shaded. To do this, annual flowers, such as marigolds, are planted on the side where the sun's rays hit the soil.
The crop needs regular watering to prevent the soil from drying out. Moisture is necessary to maintain a large volume of leaf mass and thermoregulation of the plant.
In the fall of the first year of planting, clematis Little Mermaid is pruned to the first true leaf. Subsequently, the vines are pruned according to group 2.
According to the photo and description of the Little Mermaid clematis, for abundant flowering it is recommended to fertilize it at least 5 times per season.
Feeding scheme:
- At the end of April, the plant is fed with ammonium nitrate. For an adult bush, fertilizer is dissolved at the rate of 2 g per 10 liters of water or a handful is scattered around the plant. Dry fertilizer is incorporated into the soil.
- A week after the first feeding, organic fertilizers are applied in liquid form, for example, an infusion of mullein or grass in a ratio of 1:10. In the absence of organic fertilizing, a urea solution is used at the rate of 10 g per 10 liters of water.
- 2 weeks after the second feeding, use a complex fertilizer, for example, “Kemiru Universal” at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of water.
- During the budding period, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers without the inclusion of chlorine are used.
- After the first abundant flowering and pruning, fertilizing is carried out using a complete complex fertilizer.
When feeding Little Mermaid clematis, it is important to alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. Do not apply fertilizing during flowering. At the beginning of the season, the climbing plant is watered with lime milk, and at the end of the season, several glasses of ash are added.
Preparing for winter
Preparation is carried out when sub-zero temperatures occur. The mulch and sand from the root collar are carefully raked and the base of the bush is sprayed with a solution of iron sulfate. New pre-disinfected sand is poured. To insulate the root collar, peat or well-rotted manure is poured onto it.
The shoots cut and removed from the support are twisted into a ring and pressed to the soil. Spruce branches are placed below and above and the structure is covered with non-woven material.
In spring, clematis opens gradually, the plant begins to grow very early at a temperature of +5°C. At this time, the shoots must be lifted, inspected, and weak and damaged ones must be cut off. Overwintered bare shoots still have nothing to cling to the support, so they should be independently distributed and tied to the support. The sand in the root part is replaced with new one. The soil, as in the autumn, is sprayed with a copper-containing preparation.
Reproduction
For hybrid clematis Little Mermade, a vegetative propagation method is used. The following methods are used: cuttings, rooting layering and dividing the bush. Cuttings and propagation by layering are one of the main ways to obtain new planting material. The method of dividing the bush is used for plants up to 7 years old, because older clematis do not tolerate disruption of the root system and subsequent replanting.
Diseases and pests
Clematis Little Mermaid has no specific diseases, but is often susceptible to fungal infections. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, clematis are planted in places that can be ventilated, but without strong gusts of wind. For prevention, plants are sprayed with fungicides and preparations containing copper.
One of the most serious pests of clematis is the nematode. Tender roots and young shoots of the plant are damaged by mice and mole crickets. In dry weather, spider mites may appear on the plant. Insecticides and acaricides are used against insects.
Conclusion
Clematis Little Mermaid is a picturesque, climbing perennial plant. Clematis are used to decorate pergolas and trellises, giving them different shapes, and to grow them along fences and along walls.By observing the specifics of planting, care and shelter, clematis Little Mermaid will delight you for a long time with its delicate, abundant flowering.
