Ah, Clems. are pretty stout on taken up some minor snow episodes in early spring. How are yours coming along folks? Here is my newly planted AG this season. Look at the contrast of bigger leaves that of 'Firework' next to the fine texture leaflets on the AG vines. Oh, knowing that it would be awhile for me to rip the benefit of AG's blooms. I added some annuals to the pot to divert my attention from being impatient awaiting for blooms. Tex68, are yours making buds at present?
Lily_love - Are you asking about flower buds or leaf buds? My clems are just starting to leaf out with real leaves. Some are actually starting to climb or cling to whatever structure/support they can find.
Maybe in a week or so I'll start pruning to the 3rd set of leaves for more growth. But there's a lot of new basal growth already, so is it really necessary to prune them?
Interesting question. I've never pruned again to the third set of leaves but it's worth a try. Thank you for a very good idea.
Well, it promotes more branching and more growth. But of course that will delay the blooming process. I was just out in the garden. It's so bright out there already at 6AM. I think I'm seeing actual flower buds already on some of them.
With the weather really warming up, they seem to be growing several inches overnight. All the roses are leafed out except for the new ones I just planted. Lilies are shooting bullets and missiles out of the ground. Tulips got bloom buds and the creeping phloxs are starting to bloom. The joy of spring! It's going to rain today. As what they say, April showers, brings May flowers!
Tex, ditto! to help answer your question. According Novalis the tm of this hybrid clem. They suggest "Each February or March prune to the base of the the previous year's stems." I purchased this vine recently, and I believe the nursery have already pruned mine so I omitted pruning this year. I did test one branch however to see if it'd stimulate new growth on a tip-pinching. Nada, zilt! There was no new growth there on the stem that I pinched back. Thank you for sharing this experience with others.
Tex - lots of fast growth here as well. It's quite amazing.
I forgot to cut one Dr. Ruppel back so I'll cut each stem at different heights to see what happens.
Can you see it,?,, That is my Avant-Garde...lol
One lonely little vine trying to find its way out of the ground to that mighty big trellis up there. Oh no I dont think I can make it that far....lol
I have hopes. Oh well I figured it will take that little guy forever to get up there so I planted another Clem along with it on the same trellis, I know he will make it up there before the summers end..lol
How sweet! I really do see it, Marie, and it's fun to watch how fast they grow.
Louise (venu209) and I were each out recently with magnifying lenses to try and find some hint of growth on a few clem's. It's that desperate time of year for them...and us.
I have many more that are older and they are really shooting up. I was looking today and thinking I had better get that twine up on the trellis real soon for them to climb up.. They are growing real fast. That will be my project tomorrow before I go back to work on Friday.
My older ones are also growing very fast and some are at 2', a few taller and a few shorter, but all seem eager to grow (except for the two slouches).
Hang in there everyone. Spring will get there eventually. Down South it's getting HOT. Yup, I was hoping spring will linger a bit longer but we can't have the cake and eat it too. LOL about needing the magnifying glasses Arlene. Marie, your AG new sprout looks healthy. Keep us all posted please.
Dang! I wish I have a spectacular view like that! Reminds me of the gorgeous mountain lakes in upstate NY. The ocean and the sand is getting too dull for me already here at the Jersey shore. LOL!
That magnifying glass thing is funny. 3 weeks ago when all my clems were leafing out but one. I got worried that it may have died and I literally dug out carefully the surrounding mulch and soil to see if there was any sign of new growth at the base. Yep, one tender little red thing trying to grow. Now it's about 6" tall and more growth.
Planted more roses today. Still waiting for my order from David Austin. Starting to get worried already I might have to call them tomorrow.
Photo is Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY. The have some gorgeous gardens.
This message was edited Apr 13, 2011 6:07 PM
Oh Wow, I would love to go there and see that place.
I keep hoping for this little guy. All the rest I planted last fall are doing great.
The best magnifying glass to use is the one they sell for menu reading. It has the light attached so the little stems are easier to find. I thought Ivan Olsson was lost but with magnification and light I found it. Looks like a bunny snacked on it, but it's making a comeback!
Wow, Tex, looks like a fortress!
Venu - the photo don't do much justice of the resort's architectural structure as it is partly obstructed by a cliff. It actually looks like a Victorian castle and the motif is indeed Victorian. No TV's in your room (gotta go to the TV room downstairs to watch TV).
The place is very secluded in thousands of acres of unspoiled and pristine wilderness. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, recognized by the United Nation's Environment Programme. Owned by the same family for more than 140 years.
The cliff that you see in the above photo forms a semi circle surrounding the lake, and gosh I don't know many pagodas along the trail for you to relax to enjoy the view.
The place is really magical. We've been there twice. Pricey, yes, but it's so worth it. You can also obtain a day pass to view their gardens which I may say is so breathtaking.
Whoa! Tex, that's added on to my to do list. Hope to visit that gorgeous resort someday.
Pricey is surely the word for it. Around 400 a night for 2 people including meals. I could do one night...lol
I went to their website. They have some affordable midweek specials. 2011 vacations are planned, but I'll certainly keep it in mind for 2012. It's spectacular!
Another one of my favorites too - The Sagamore at Bolton Landing, Lake George, NY. Hard on the wallet too. but Lake George is to die for.
It is looking better, but I must say it is a more fragile Clem.
Some really do have that fragile look.
Yes, Avant Garde really have that delicate look; compare the regular size of Firework's leaves next to AG's. Thanks Marie for sharing your pix. Please refresh my memory, how old is yours?
Another angle at the two Clems. mingling with each other. :)
I got it last summer as 2 small plants,(2 year old seedlings). I planted them in the ground in the fall.
It will be fun to see if they will bloom this year. Marie. Please keep us posted. Likewise, I'll add new posting on mine.
I am hoping for at least one bloom.
JeannTx's AG continues to thrive over the years according to her. And knowing that this type is hardy to zone 4. I'm really glad that we've the pleasure of having one. :)
Hi everyone, it's time to revisit this thread. My AG is sending out tiny little buds. Yes, buds, flower buds. But they're extra small I can barely get a decent picture to share. How is everyone else's AG doing so far for the season?
Pardon, I went back and looked at the flowerbuds, and it was my error. The buds belong to SAC! I'm so disappointed.
Kim
Mine never came back...:(
Awww, that's too bad. Carolyn, perhaps this cultivar is a dud. It's said to be hardy far North as zone 4. My vine looks fine except for the lack of flowers. I'll give it a little bloom booster and keep watch on it.
Kim
Mine never did bloom. Actually, it really didn't do much and I had it for several years. Definitely not one I would replace.
It's sad that we have to live and learn at our own expense.
The one that the voles ate off is coming back. But it is real small. I don't expect anything from it for years.
Arlene, I'll continue to monitor. Marie, voles has been a real pain here in my garden. I think I've lost quite a few liliums to them. I'll try to plant Daffodils to repell them critters. What method of voles control do you use in your garden?
I have lost so much to them. Each year I see more missing plants and more eaten up during the summer. I have tried everything on the market and none of it works. Plant your special bulbs in wire cages and try and figure out what they have not eaten and plant that. Daffodils have not deterred them in may gardens.
I also have a bad run of Moles this year.
Good Luck.
DH uses the cone that you get at Lowes to get rid of the voles. We had them badly to the point where they were jumping in front of him when he was bending over outside. I definitely would not want to see one of those little critters go sailing in front of me. The stuff works.
What is the "cone" made of Carolyn?
Kim
It is a plastic cone with poison pellets. The voles were killing everything planted on the berm of the pond. Now it all has grown back, recovered and looks great.
