Forgive me if this is a repeat - propagting Clematis?

I looked for a bit and gave up - has anyone had any luck propagating Clematis? I've heard the seeds are really tough to start, so I haven't even tried them, but the one clematis cutting I took didn't do anything but wilt....

TIA!

Division is always a good method with clematis but it might take years to get a good clump (we had to cut ours to the ground at least twice a year at our last house - it was that vigorous). Layering works too. I haven't tried cuttings (have you done a web search on cuttings). Seed from sweet autumn clematis is a weed to avoid.

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/plantfinder/clematis_22.asp

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Clematiscuttings.htm

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Propagate-Clematis-18630187

Thanks for the response, hcmcdole.

Oh yeah - preaching to the choir on the Sweet Autumn Clematis, lol - not into invasives, no matter how pretty.

No, I didn't do a search - came to the experts first >grin< ...

Looks like layering is the way to go - none of my clematis are more than 3 years old so division is probably not going to happen .... Looks like this year will be a big one for them - they're looking great!

forgive my ignorance, but what is layering?
I have a clematis I would like to propagate as well.
The one in your pic is pretty.

Thanks - that's actually the immature bloom, it gets much bigger and fancier, but I like it best like that.... I think it's Blue Lights or something like that.

Layering is bending (or laying) a shoot over to make contact with the soil. Typically you would make a small wound on the underside of the shoot (limb or branch) before you bend it to the soil. Rooting hormone might aid in speeding up the rooting. A small trench to accept the shoot can also help keep the shoot in place. A large weight (such as a stone) may be needed to keep the shoot in place as well. A stake or pin can also be used to hold the shoot in place.

The other method of this same approach is air layering. In this case the shoot may be too rigid to bend so instead of bringing the shoot to the soil, you bring the soil to the shoot. You wound the part you want to layer (a small section like a wedge or crescent moon would be cut out), apply rooting hormone, then wrap the soil around the cut (peat moss or a good potting mix for example). Plastic wrap or anything that will hold the soil around the wound for a few weeks should do the trick. Use rubber bands, yarn, twist ties to hold the plastic wrap in place on the top and bottom. Do not let the soil dry out while the plant is putting out roots (you may have to pull the wrap apart at the top to water (not the easiest thing to do). When the soil is full of roots then cut the limb away from the mother plant.

oh cool, never heard of that in the air. I have did that before on the ground, just didn't realize it had a name lol
thanks for clarifying for me

I never thought of layering clematis; I think it may have happened accidentally and that is why my Jackmanii looks so wide. Good to know I can do it intentionally. Is spring or fall best or doesn't it matter?

I'd say *now* is best >smile< !