Randy I have very similar tree, even lopsided like yours. The tree was getting too tall to keep inside, but luckily was not infested. I was looking for info how to prune it & that is how I found this forum. I have followed Al's recommendations to a letter (and I have never even read about root pruning/proper repotting): 1. 'inspection' of roots/flushing thoroughly/proper watering & fertilizing - all few months ahead of proper repotting; 2. then at proper time (July), root pruning (the root ball was a mess)-repotting into brand new soil mix (5-1-1); 3. continue proper watering/fertilizing as recommended 4. pruning branches approx. month later I am very satisfied with results, the tree looks much better and has lots of new leaves growing. An it is few inches shorter (more pruning next year). It took some effort, but if you really want your plant to grow well, it is worth it. I am following similar routine with all my potted plants - it will take some time since I have 'few', but by same time next year all of them will be in new soil mix, root pruned/repotted/branches pruned and I am sure growing much healtier. The info you'll find on this forum is very helpful. Al has many extremely informative threads, and I have save them for reference. Much easier for me to get infor-he does all the hard work of writing it all... Many other members have very good posts and photos too - sorry I can't think of all the names right now. Good luck with your tree. Rina

Hmm!! If you cut it back you will be starting over as far as blooms go for the original plant.. BUT on the other hand you can cut it back and root the starts.. If it has already Y'd you will want to get that started so you will have blooms.. Maybe you can find a way to cut it back and make a standard out of it..Hard to tell without a pic. But it may re-root itself better without having to put energy into supporting the entire plant.. Find that Camera..LOL BTW Congrats on the move.. Kylie

Starting from seeds is fine but it take TIME. Time is of essence. That what all the fuss about starting early to get a head start, to beat the mother nature in its own game. 1 MY living example: I started/ sowed KUMATO , on March 26Th. Today , May 1st, after 36 days it has just 3 true leaves and it is about <3" tall. I think it needs at least 15 more days to get reach a decent plant out size: That will be 51 days from sowing. This is inline with sowing 6 to 8 weeks before plant out date. Well, of course, if you have long and warm season, you can even direct sow in the garden. I have done that while gardening in GA. I have had even plants grown from cuttings much later. OTOH: what you've got to lose, : Few seeds, some time and attention and see what you'll get. It is called EXPERIMENTATION. But be prepared to have low expectations. Sey

Perhaps it is not necessary to add more mulch for clematis in my area as most winters we have good snow coverage. But some winters, not so much. When I attended local gardening workshops the pros always emphasized winter mulching, but, they mostly admitted that they themselves do not add winter mulch. So, who knows? Since I collect the neighbors' shredded leaves to compost and mulch other plants around the clematis I add it to them as well. Most clematis die back to near the ground for me. My hope is that covering the prune 2 clematis well will keep more of the stems alive higher so I can get that early spring bloom on old wood. Sometimes it works. The clematis I grow from seed and from cuttings are kept in pots and put in the ground in holding beds. These I don't want to take a chance of losing so they get completely covered by shredded leaves for the winter.