Clematis not opening fully

carlajaneglen

Hello. I was wondering if someone may be able to advise why my clematis flowers aren't opening fully please? It's called Abilene (Raymond Evison Collection) and group 2. I bought it last year when it was quite a small but established plant and potted straight into the large pot in the pictures in John Innes no. 3 with some FBB. It did well last year and this year there are plenty of new buds and it looks healthy, albeit a couple of the flowers were green/pink (which I think is because the buds developed so early and then we had a frost). I have been feeding in Miracle Gro for the last few weeks and am wondering if I should stop and get some tomorite or rose feed instead? I'm new to gardening so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Loxley

I had to google 'FBB' and got NSFW images of female bodybuilders  

What is FBB please? It does seem like you could afford to ease back on the feeding, better to underdo it than overdo it is my general approach. Tomorite would make sense.

Maybe it's the weather?

carlajaneglen

Thanks for your reply @WillDB 😬 sorry about that. It is fish blood and bone. Thanks for your feedback. I will hold back on the feeding for a while then and see how I go and get some tomorite when I'm able to go shopping again in a few weeks. 

I did wonder whether it could be the weather. They seem to have opened earlier and the buds developed early too. Thanks again.

Stevedaylilly

Hi

Normally I would feed my Clematis up to flowers appearing, normally tomato feed every 2 weeks. They are greedy plants and love good humus soil and FBB spread to the base of the plant at the start of spring will do it no real harm. 
My only concern is the size of the pot as this will restrict its growth in the future 
I would consider repotting it up to a bigger pot in the future or planting it out in your boarders, if this is possible 

Marlorena

..there's nothing wrong with your clematis... those blooms will open fully very shortly... just need a bit more sun..

carlajaneglen

Hi @Stevedaylilly

Thanks for your response. I'll stop feeding it now then. I was feeding it every 2 weeks with Miracle Gro and last fed it a week ago, so probably should have stopped sooner. 

Unfortunately I only have a small patio garden which is the main reason I got this particular clematis, as its meant to be more compact and better suited to smaller gardens and containers. I could, however, put it in a bigger pot. The one it's currently in is 42 x 44 x 44cm. Thank you.

carlajaneglen

@Marlorena thank you. They have been like that a few days now which is why I was concerned as they seemed to open much quicker and weren't curly last year (or maybe I just didn't notice so much).

Marlorena

@carlajaneglen   that's ok... the nights are still quite chilly.. and remember, they open their blooms for insects not for us... all will be well... 
...also, sorry to disagree slightly with Steve, I know it's a pain, but I actually think your pot is perfectly fine for a clematis of this small size... for quite some time... so no fret..
..just my tuppence.. 

carlajaneglen

Thanks everyone for the responses 

@Marlorena that has put my mind at rest, thank you very much. I am happy to repot, however, if it's not necessary I would prefer to leave it. 

Stevedaylilly

Marlorena said:

@carlajaneglen   that's ok... the nights are still quite chilly.. and remember, they open their blooms for insects not for us... all will be well... 
...also, sorry to disagree slightly with Steve, I know it's a pain, but I actually think your pot is perfectly fine for a clematis of this small size... for quite some time... so no fret..
..just my tuppence.. 

HI Marlorena 

Just looked up this Clematis and totally agree it will be suitable for the pot due to is growth rate 
PS: I didn’t realise it growth height is only 3 to 4 feet

Happy Gardening