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pkougher -- USDA Zone 5 Guest May-06-03, 00:09 AM (EST)   "Fertilizing Clematis"      Could you tell me what would be the best fertilizer for a very new clematis vine or is none at all best. I have heard so many different ideas such as tomato or rose fertilizer, rotted manure compost, 15-5-5 formula (which no one seems to have--do you know what type that is --granulated or liquid??), and 10-5-5. I am at a loss for what to use, when, and how much. My vine has one bud that has not yet opened-should I wait until flowering is done or do it now, and what amount. I heard someone say they used osmocote (which is another recommended formula) and it burned the clematis. Also I have heard Miracle Grow is OK. I think they said at half strength.   Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Diane Franklin -- USDA Zone 5 Member since Feb-3-02 306 posts May-06-03, 08:27 AM (EST)   1. "RE: Fertilizing Clematis" In response to message #0      Hi, Feeding transplants or little new plants is like feeding steak to a baby. It is always better to make sure the soil is fertile and loose so as to allow the roots a nice environment to get established into first. Compost is great for ammending a planting hole, mix it in with the soil you took out of the hole. I only give my clematis compost or nothing at all. Gently work some compost into the soil each year. If you are keeping the area mulched you might not have to worry much about adding nurtients, the mulch breaking down does that. Happy Gardening, Diane   Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top