Clematis Montana Germination?

Question

Need details on starting clematis Montana seeds. Web has differing opinions. Tried seed in promix in dome and heat mat under tray with no luck. Tried seed in 1/8 inch water in cup under light with no luck. Tried seed in wet paper towel in ziplock baggy with no luck. Any help is appreciated

Answer 1

I see what you mean. There is conflicting information about growing clematis from seed, but all the references I see say it takes from about 6 months to 3 years, so you may have given up too soon. Stratification seemed to be key – planting the seeds outside in the fall and letting them sit dormant in the winter cold, then sprout with other perennials. You can imitate this cold period in the refrigerator for three months. Keep the seeds moist in compost or a seed starting medium.

I saw Montana seeds for sale by a couple vendors and both said to use the stratification method.

I had the late summer blooming sweet autumn clematis, which is a rampant reseeder. It is considered invasive in some states. So some clematis grow easily from seed.