'Pam',

Layering is the surest way to succeed and it is also the easiest way to
produce new clematis plants from old stock. Whenever I have tried this
I have had 100% success.

Do it at the end of summer when the stems have had a chance to mature.

Fill a 4" flower pot with potting compost and sink it into the soil near
to the base of the parent plant so that its rim is level with the soil.

Then chose a sturdy stem, detach it from its support and gently bend it
down to the flowerpot, centering a healthy pair of leaves on the surface
of the compost.

Carefully split the stem below the leaf node and dip it in hormone
rooting powder. See diagram re- splitting of the stem
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/plantf...lematis_23.asp

Now peg the stem in place, just short of the split, with a piece of
wire suitably bent or even a clothes peg. I prefer a piece of wire

Attach the growing end of the shoot to a small cane inserted vertically
near to the wire/peg. Top up the pot with a layer of soil and firm it.

Keep soil moist and do not disturb until the following June when you
should sever the new plant from the parent and lift the pot from the
ground. Treat as you would a new plant.

I wish you well.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
Some of you may remember that earlier in the year I asked a question
about a clematis in a friend's garden that you decided was a viticella
species; small blue bells on quite a prolific climber. My "must have"
plant.
I tried cuttings, and to my shame, none took. I should have kept some
indoors. Is it too late to do cuttings again now?
However, the plant is covered in what appear to be seed pods.
All clematis seeds I have ever seen have fluffy tails. These are
clusters of little things that break up into what look like pale green
lentils! Are they seeds? Will they be viable? I've never seen their
like before.

Pam in Bristol