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Trellis rotting

sunshine preferredsunshine preferred Posts: 107
in Problem solving
I have a clematis growing on a wooden trellis attached to a fence. However the trellis is rotting and the clematis is not one you cut back. If i attach wires to the posts will the clematis attach to it as the trellis falls apart , also how far apart should the wires be. I will keep an eye on it and train it to attach where i can.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,854
    Yes, if the posts are still good it's a solution.  Make sure the wires are stretched taut - you can buy tensioners at DIY stores - and place them every 12"/30cms or closer, depending on the vigour of your clematis.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,355
    Even if it's a clem you don't normally cut back, you can still do that if necessary. It would just mean losing flowers for a while.
    If you waited till the trellis was really knackered, and you thought you could get in at it easily enough to pull away, you could go for it then.
    I'm generalising of course, but in most cases, it would be fine. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,854
    I'm going to assume it's a group 1 which flowers in winter or early spring, in which case you can cut it back immediately after flowering, remove all the rotten trellis and replace it with a new panel or wires and then give the clematis a jolly good feed and train it in as it grows back.   That way you should get some flowers the following year.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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