Factors affecting propagation of Clematis by stem cuttings

Effect of media type, cultivar, and indole-3 butyric acid (IBA) application on Clematis spp. stem cutting rooting was studied. Cutting survival across all treatments was highest on 'Comtesse de Bouchard' and 'Gypsy Queen' cuttings and lowest on 'Jackmani' cuttings. Cutting survival was greatest in perlite and lowest in peat-perlite-vermiculite. IBA application increased 'Jackmani' cutting survival only. Time of root emergence was longest on 'Jackmani' and least on 'Gypsy Queen' cuttings across treatments. Root emergence occurred first in sand and perlite and last in peat-perlite across treatments. Root dry mass on cuttings from 'Jackmani' and Clematis viticella purpurea plena elegens plants were unaffected by medium type. In contrast, root dry mass on 'Comtesse de Bouchard' cuttings was highest in perlite and root dry mass on 'Gypsy Queen' cuttings was highest in sand, perlite, and peat-perlite-vermiculite. The best media for propagating clematis were sand and perlite. Benefits to rooting cuttings in sand or perlite were similar, except rooting cuttings in perlite resulted in higher cutting root dry mass.