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Clematis Viticella Etoile Violette

17541754 Posts: 6
in Problem solving
slugs have been eating the leaves on my clematis overnight, one minute it was doing well growing the next day all gone.. Its never happened before, the plants about 3yrs old.  Is it dead or can I just cut down the stalks that are missing their leaves and hopefully it will recover.  I hope it will revive it, it flowers from June to November.

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    It's happened to me, but not my Etoile Violette. I put down slug pellets, I know many are anti them, but I don't have hedgehogs and I found it was the only thing that worked. The clematis recovered and grew again.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • 17541754 Posts: 6
    Thank you Busy-Lizzie.  I’ve just put down some slug pellets.
  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    Instead of slug pellets you could use slug gel that imo creates an effective barrier that slugs seem reluctant to cross over. My perennial lobelia are normally food and drink to them but they have been untouched since I spread the gel around them. It also last a lot longer that pellets and is rain proof for about 3 weeks   
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Slug gel is fine if you know the perishers are outside it.   I prefer slug pellets and a good feed for the clematis so it sends out new shoots.   Works for me.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    Very true Obelixx as I didn't think that they could be hiding inside the gel barrier. Then it's a few slug pellets inside the barrier should keep them down. 
  • 17541754 Posts: 6
    Thank your for all your comments. After buying a load of new plants and then having the slugs thinking food for a good nosh up, i’ll try anything. Can I buy the gel online? I don’t normally feed my Clematis I just put manure at the base of the plant.  I’ve heard that tomato feed is a good choice.

  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    Hi 
    I get mine from Wilko for £2.50 a bottle which gives you 50m of barrier gel. I must admit I have only started using it in the last 3 weeks and also using slug pellets, no plants at yet been touched 
  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    I would feed them tomato feed from May onwards. Prior to that use a general all round  foliar feed such as Phostrogene .Changing to a Tomato feed improves flowering 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    The clematis should soon grow new shoots. I also use crushed eggshells or fine grit around vulnerable plants, the only drawback is when you want to put the manure around the clems.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • 17541754 Posts: 6
    Thank Lizzie and Greenfingers Steve for your help. I’ll try all the tips you’ve posted and fingers crossed no other damage is done.
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