is of vital importance. Another point to emphasize is that Clematis require 
sunlight to produce well-developed flowers, and one cannot expect to obtain 
satisfactory flowering plants in heavy shade. 
Forcing Clematis for flower shows or ‘for house decoration offers little or 
no difficulty. Six-inch pots are both convenient and large enough to hold 
an average-size plant. Bearing in mind the fact that Clematis thrives best 
in rich soil, care must be taken to obtain a balanced potting mixture. 
A potting soil composed of three parts of gritty loam, one part leaf-mold, 
a small amount of lime or lime rubble, will be found satisfactory. This 
mixture should be put through a coarse sieve. Provide ample drainage of 
broken crock in each pot. Experienced gardeners have found that moder- 
ately firm potting suits the plants best. 
The temperature and moisture requirements for Clematis are similar to 
those of other potted plants grown in greenhouses. A temperature varying 
from 65 to 72 degrees is satisfactory. Water the plants thoroughly after 
potting and thereafter treat them like other potted plants. 
If one would have well-formed specimens, supports should be provided 
as soon as the potting is done. It may be a bamboo cane, a piece of strong 
wire, or a simple wooden trellis. ‘The potted specimen of Clematis illustrated 
on page 39 has been trained on a globular wire form. If these forms are used, 
string may be interwoven for additional support. 
Usually Clematis grown in a greenhouse produces ample foliage and 
comes into bloom about eight to ten weeks after planting. ‘The blooming- 
date depends on the temperature of the greenhouse. It may be stated safely 
that plants grown in a temperature of 65 degrees are more satisfactory than 
those forced at a higher temperature. 
The enduring quality of the blooms, together with their beauty of form 
and color, makes Clematis highly desirable pot-plants. 
Among the best varieties for general pot-culture and forcing are: Mme. 
Edouard André, Lawsoniana, Crimson King, Prins Hendrik, Mrs. Chol- 
mondeley, Duchess of Edinburgh, Comtesse de Bouchaud, Elsa Spath, Lord 
Neville. All are good to begin with. 
Pose Re eh OIR lobe Ne Ea) ey Os sK oi 
