Newbie Help! How to Encourage More Stems

Clematis in pots need good compost, adequate feed and watering every day in summer. Both your plants obviously need attention now. Firstly cut off both clematis to leave two nodes above compost level. Push a short cane into the compost adjacent to the stem and tie the stem loosely to the cane, in order to protect it from damage. Carefully remove the plant from its container, check that the plant is not root bound and that there are adequate live roots, they should be light brown with white tips. If there is a shortage of roots and they apear to have been eaten, you may have an infestation of Vine Weavils, look for white grubs. It may be necessary to remove soil by washing, old or dead roots can be trimmed back. Replant into a minimum 18 inch diameter pot, using a mixture of half John Innes number three and half Arthur Bowers New Horizon Compost. Water the plant fully and stand in the shade for two weeks at least, until new growth is observed. New growth may need to be tied in, but it is important at this stage to nip out the growing tips after the new stem has grown two nodes. This should encourage the plant to branch out, keep doing this for the rest of the frowing season, by which time the plant should have produced several stems. Remember to keep the compost damp at all times and feed once a month with a balanced liquid feed.