Osmocote is really best for container annuals rather than perennial vines like Clematis. Alfalfa has a hormone that encourages additional vines to grow from the crown. You can buy a big bag for about ten bucks at a farm/ranch/feed store. Cheaper than a little box of meal at a garden center/nursery. When all you have is one long scraggly stem pruning down to a foot or six inches encourages more vines up from the crown as well. Clematis are not instant gratification plants. Especially the Type IIs like Nelly, it can take more than three years before you get many flowers. Having multiple vines and pruning and pinching really encourages more flower buds.

fleur, this was included in Tony Avents (Plant Delights, NC, Z7) monthly newsletter this morning - I thought you might find it interesting. "One of the winter chores many gardeners engage in is cutting back old hellebore foliage. While we endorse the practice, I'd caution you about doing it too early. I like to wait until the first flowers are just ready to open before removing the old foliage because despite being often tattered, the foliage serves to keep the plant cool and slow down the development of the flower buds. If the foliage is cut too early, the plant develops faster and the buds and flowers reach a size that can become damaged if the temperatures drop into the low- to mid-teens F. If you're a neat freak and have already trimmed your hellebores, a light layer of evergreen branches or pine straw will really help to protect and slow them down in the case of upcoming cold temperatures. The great thing about hellebores is even if the earliest buds are damaged, new buds will still be produced as long as the plant isn't too far along."

Your friend is right in that they do need a vernalization (cold) period. As to what you should do with them now I'm not sure what to tell you. I would suggest going to the NALS (North American Lily Society) website. If I remember right there's an ask Lilium section. Perhaps someone there can help you.

Ken, although spots are brown, are they semi-translucent? Like weaved cloth? lol As you stated, 'IF' there is a problem, it could be a bacterial. There's too many types...to be honest, I'm unfamiliar with them. Some of my plants, 'mostly Dracaenas' get similar spots. I usually remove the leaf, or if on the edge, trim. My Dracaena, 'Song of India,' is outdoors. Last week, temperatures dipped in the 30's. I noticed several brown spots yesterday. Whatever, I hope your plant pulls through. As I stated earlier, other than the few spots, your Corn Plants looks terrific. Healthy foliage. Good luck.