Clematis Little Mermaid

Clematis Little Mermaid was bred by breeder Takeshi Watanabe, originally from Japan. Such a clematis appeared in 1994. The literal translation of the name means "little mermaid". This variety gives beautiful large inflorescences that bloom early enough. This culture responds favorably to good lighting. This clematis is quite actively twisted, for this reason, Clematis Little Mermaid is often used as a decoration for vertical structures.

Clematis Little Mermaid: photo of the variety

Clematis Little Mermaid: variety description

Clematis variety Little Mermaid is liana-shaped. The stems usually grow up to two meters. To make the vines more comfortable to grow, it is necessary to install supporting structures.

Clematis inflorescences Little Mermaid are painted in a delicate pinkish color. The central part has a light yellow color due to the color of the anthers. The flowers are large enough, reaching from eight to twelve centimeters in diameter. This culture blooms for a long time and abundantly. During the warm time, flowering occurs in two stages. Clematis blooms for the first time from May to June. Clematis flowers Little Mermaid are formed at the same time on last year's branches. The second time clematis blooms in late summer - early autumn, and the shoots of the current season are already involved.

Clematis Little Mermaid: photo of the variety

Clematis variety Little Mermaid tolerates low temperatures very well, clematis rhizomes can survive temperatures down to -35 degrees. However, the above-ground part needs to be additionally insulated, since kidneys will form on them.

The large-flowered variety of Little Mermaid clematis should be pruned twice a year. First, the shoots of the last year are harvested after they have faded. In this case, the part of the stem that has faded is removed. But if the branch is weak or deformed, then it must be removed entirely.

Those stems that have formed in the current season should not be pruned too much, while leaving from ten to fifteen nodes on each of them. It is entirely necessary to remove diseased and weakened stems. If you cut off the entire stems of the current season, then your clematis will bloom only in the last days of August, while there will be little color.

Clematis Little Mermaid: photo of the variety

How to properly care for Clematis Little Mermaid

It is best when choosing a place for planting Clematis Little Mermaid to give preference to warm, well-lit areas. The water table should not be too close to the surface, and there should be protection against gusts of wind. The structure of the soil should be loose, oxygen and water permeable. The pH should ideally be neutral.

Before planting Clematis Little Mermaid in the ground, you need to hold the root system in water for some time. So, it will be saturated with moisture, and rooting will be better.

During planting, the plant should sink five to ten centimeters lower than the surface of the earth. The soil must be covered with a mulching layer without fail, while the root collar is covered with a layer of sand. Clematis should be in shaded conditions at the base. For this purpose, where the sun hits the ground, you can plant annual flower plants. Calendula or marigolds are good for these purposes.

Watering Clematis Little Mermaid is necessary on a regular basis, the soil should not dry out in any case.Water is vital to plants in order to maintain a large amount of greenery, as well as for thermoregulation to take place normally.

Clematis Little Mermaid: photo of the variety

In the first year of planting in the fall, Clematis Little Mermaid needs to be pruned to the first true leaf. Subsequently, the shoots need to be trimmed in the same way as clematis belonging to the second group are trimmed.

Plants are fed at least five times during the growing season. You need to do this if you want your Little Mermaid to bloom profusely.

Little Mermaid clematis are fed according to a certain algorithm, which it is advisable to adhere to:

• In the last days of April, Clematis Little Mermaid needs to be fed. For this, ammonium nitrate is well suited. For one adult plant, you need to use a certain amount of solution. To do this, in ten liters of water, you need to dilute a couple of grams of top dressing. You can also use a dry variation of this drug, which is scattered around the perimeter of each clematis.
• Seven days after the first feeding was carried out, organic matter must be added. It must be in liquid form. For these purposes, you can use mullein infusion or herbal infusion. The proportion is observed in one to ten. If there is no organic fertilizer, then a solution prepared from urea can be used. For ten liters of water, about ten grams of the drug is usually consumed.
• After another couple of weeks, you need to use top dressing, which will contain the whole complex of necessary nutrients. For these purposes, Kemira Universal is well suited. Such a drug is diluted in the amount of one tablespoon in ten liters of water.
• While the buds are formed on Clematis Little Mermaid, it is necessary to add fertilizing, which contain potassium and phosphorus. In this case, chlorine should not be contained there.
• After the plant has bloomed for the first time, and the pruning has already been carried out, it is necessary to use fertilizer with a complex composition for additional feeding of the plants.

It is best to intersperse mineral-based dressings with organic fertilizers. While the plant is in bloom, it is not recommended to feed it. In early spring, Little Mermaid clematis can be watered with a lime-based solution. And in the fall it will not be superfluous to add wood ash to the soil, several glasses per plant will be enough.

How to prepare Little Mermaid for winter

When the first frost hits, it is necessary to prepare the plants for the cold season. The root collar must be freed from sand and a layer of mulch, and is treated with a solution of ferrous sulfate. After that, you need to pour in fresh sand treated with a disinfectant. To prevent the root collar from freezing, additional insulation must be laid on top of it. To do this, you can use peat or well-rotted manure.

Those shoots that have been cut and removed from the support structure must be twisted into a ring shape and pressed against the ground. On both sides, the bottom and top are covered with spruce branches, and then, using non-woven material, it is additionally insulated.

Be sure to leave free spaces at the bottom for ventilation.

In the spring, the release of plants from the shelter occurs smoothly. Clematis Little Mermaid begins to grow pretty soon, already at +5 degrees. During this period, you need to raise the stems, carefully examine for deformations and signs of disease. Shoots that look weak or are damaged should be trimmed. Since the shoots that have survived the wintering do not yet have the opportunity to "grab" the trellis, it is necessary to carry out the garter of the stems with your own hands. The layer of sand in the root zone must be changed to a fresh one. The soil, as well as in the fall, must be treated with a product that contains copper.

How to propagate Clematis Little Mermaid

In order to propagate Clematis Little Mermaid, it is recommended to use vegetative methods. Such clematis is propagated using cuttings, by dividing the bush, by layering. Most often, experienced florists use cuttings and layering to propagate clematis. You can divide the bush only when the plant is no more than seven years old. Most mature plants react too badly to damage to the root system and do not get along well in a new place.

Clematis Little Mermaid: photo of the variety

About diseases and pests of the variety

The Clematis variety Little Mermaid has a fairly strong immune system, but if the basic rules for cultivation are not followed, problems may arise in the form of a disease of fungal origin. To prevent such problems from arising in your flower plantings, it is recommended to grow Little Mermaid Clematis in a well-ventilated area. At the same time, a strong gusty wind should not harm clematis. For preventive purposes, plants from time to time need to be treated with fungicidal preparations, as well as copper-containing agents.

The greatest damage among harmful insects to Clematis of the Little Mermaid variety can be caused by a nematode. The root system and stems of young plants from time to time can be damaged by mice or bears.

Clematis Little Mermaid: photo of the variety

If there is a long dry weather, then the planting of clematis Little Mermaid can be visited by such a pest as a spider mite. As a rule, flower growers use acaricides and insecticides against pests.

Outcome

Clematis variety Little Mermaid has a very beautiful decorative appearance, it can serve as a magnificent decoration for pergolas, trellises. Clematis Little Mermaid can be shaped to your liking. Clematis can curl up a fence, a wall. If you adhere to the basic rules for planting, care, then such a plant will bloom successfully and abundantly for many years.

Clematis Little Mermaid: video about the variety