Clematis Montana in pot...panicking

joeyvicks

i'm panicking cos i planted it in March and it has really took off, im worried that its gonna outgrow the container soon and die off quickly. I wasnt aware at the time of planting about this problem!!

the container is part of the archway (container either side of arch) and it is planted over the top of gravel which has soil underneath. I'm thinking i could somehow lift the root ball up and dig a hole underneath or even break off the container and then plant it in the ground

only problem is im not sure how i could do it without causing damage to the plant!? Please help...
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc465/joeyvicks/89afbaf8.jpg

a1cat

joeyvicks wrote: »

i'm panicking cos i planted it in March and it has really took off, im worried that its gonna outgrow the container soon and die off quickly. I wasnt aware at the time of planting about this problem!!

the container is part of the archway (container either side of arch) and it is planted over the top of gravel which has soil underneath. I'm thinking i could somehow lift the root ball up and dig a hole underneath or even break off the container and then plant it in the ground

only problem is im not sure how i could do it without causing damage to the plant!? Please help...
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc465/joeyvicks/89afbaf8.jpg

I reckon you could fairly easily break off the container without doing serious damage to the plant. Dig a hole that is bigger than the pot it has come from as clematis appreciate this, a few cm deeper will do.

a1cat

OTOH don't worry too much, having looked at the photo nae problemo AFAICS

gardenroute

You could easily lift out the clematis - I think it would break out of the container in a few years anyway - the main issue would be trying to unwind all the stems off the trellis before you could lower it.

TBH that plant is way too big for that plant - its not going to slow in growth next year. I can see it will be trained over a pergola but the trellis will end up as a mass of bare stems fairly quickly. It might be easier to move that somewhere else and try something that needs a bit more patience.

lizzyb1812

I think I'd be inclined to try to get the bottom of the planter removed whilst keeping the sides - the plant could then push its roots through the gravel into the soil. Might be tricky - perhaps take one side out and wiggle the bottom out before replacing the side? It would keep the look of a planter.

a1cat

lizzyb1812 wrote: »

I think I'd be inclined to try to get the bottom of the planter removed whilst keeping the sides - the plant could then push its roots through the gravel into the soil. Might be tricky - perhaps take one side out and wiggle the bottom out before replacing the side? It would keep the look of a planter.

Bash it out from the top. Stout post, thin, preferably metal. stick it in the inner corner of the planter from the top. Bash with big hammer. Satisfying clunk.

Repeat all 4 corners.

Bottom falls out.

peter_the_piper

Consider putting the Montana in a place where it can grow to its full(ish) potential, they are not really that suitable for an arch (ours is at 60ft and still growing). There are plenty of more amenable ones. To keep a Montana small enough you may well be cutting off a lot of flowering stems.

valk_scot

Have to say that since it's entirely the wrong plant for an arch and it's in entirely the wrong place I'd either kill it or drag it out of the planter bodily and give it away. Then I'd buy myself a nice dainty hybrid or species Clematis and start again with fresh soil.

a1cat

valk_scot wrote: »

Have to say that since it's entirely the wrong plant for an arch and it's in entirely the wrong place I'd either kill it or drag it out of the planter bodily and give it away. Then I'd buy myself a nice dainty hybrid or species Clematis and start again with fresh soil.

Not sure why you say that, the clematis is doing great where it is

peter_the_piper

What we mean is, your pic shows the growth since March. To get it to flower next year you have to leave this years growth on. That is 3 months growth, it will treble in size this year. Double again next year and consequent years.

joeyvicks

thanks for the comments so far...

Problem is i was ill advised by the 'expert' at the garden centre who said it would be fine. I think i will have to try to smash the bottom of the planter up so the roots can get through.

If i smash it up a bit will the base need removing or will it be ok left in place? underneath is a layer of gravel sat on weed fabric so will this need removing as well?