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Clematis problems

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Problem solving
I planted this new Rebecca clematis just a few weeks ago, it looked stunning in full flower.  However now the new leaves are more yellow than green, and they really don't look as good as the older established leaves.  Any suggestions as to why they are not a glossy green colour. It is growing in a very large pot - facing south, with some anemones and lavender also in the pot, which is approx 20 inches across by  3 - 4 foot tall.
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  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    A small pot perhaps? They like lots of feed and water. Have you fed them of late?
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I try to feed every couple of weeks Fire.  Perhaps I should feed more often - we have an irrigation system in our pots (we have over 30 pots), so I don't think it is short of water.  The pot is large - that is why we also have lavender and anemones in there to help fill the pot. Thanks for your suggestions Fire.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I might be wrong ( as is oft the case ) but it looks like you might have vine weevil damage on some of the leaves , which might suggest grubs in the soil. 
    Devon.
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    Guernsey I have just planted Rebecca too. Her pot is clay  2 sizes up from the top and below the thick rim. So far so good but I will keep a careful eye and post if I see a similar problem to yours  
    for what it’s worth I have noticed the ones I handle, ie tie in, seem to get die back, the less I handle them the better they do   I feed weekly the first year thereafter once in the spring
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited June 2018
    Lavender and clematis like opposite growing conditions. If i were you i would have it out of the pot, check for vine weevil and repot it (no extras just the clematis) and keep it well watered. It might be a lack of magnesium so a feed of liquid seaweed would be a good idea. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with Bijdezee - you have plants with opposing likes in the same pot  :)
    You may be overfeeding rather than underfeeding. Once they're flowering, it isn't necessary. Too much nitrogen can cause issues too, so I would be careful about how much of that it has had as well. As it's newly planted, it could also just be a bit of transplant shock.  Some of the dark coloured clems also get a bit stressed if they have too much heat and sun - it may be something that simple.
    I'd also agree with Hosta re the weevil damage, but a mature clematis shouldn't be overly affected by that at the moment. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Touch wood - have never met a vine weevil so can't comment but you definitely need to get the lavender and anemones out of the pot.

    On another thread on clematis in pots, Richard Hodson (clematis nurseyman) recommends a few simple annuals in the pot to indicate water shortages when they wilt.   You'd be surprised how much water they need as well as good compost and appropriate feeding. 
    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
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Thanks for all your helpful advice.  The Rebecca has recently (in the last week or so) produced it's second lot of buds - it was in flower when I bought it approx. 10 weeks ago.  I will give it a tomato feed, see what happens and think about removing the other plants over the winter if the clematis is no better.  It was put into good compost, in fact I thought it might have been too rich for the lavenders but they have thrived and are on the verge of flowering as is the anemones.  I planted all these extra plants a. because the pot is huge and also to give shade to the clematis roots. You can see the new buds on the clem middle edge left hand side and one at the top next to a bamboo.  This top bud looks to be deformed or eaten perhaps.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    GD - remember your post a few weeks ago about taking advice given here after you ignored it before and got it wrong?

    You really do need to look up the cultivation needs of plants before you allocate them a space or plant them together in pots.

    Lavender may be doing well at first but will rot or die young if kept too moist and in too rich a compost.   The clematis will not thrive if kept too dry.  Your anemones, assuming they are coronaria, like light, sandy soil and to be dry during their dormancy.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=127 
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=97 

    Clematis don't need shaded roots as long as they are kept moist enough.  Better to plant on their own but with a good mulch of bark or attractive pebbles to retain moisture and keep down weeds.
    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
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Some good advice here Obelixx.  The clem is planted with a top dressing of light gravel, but you are right about the mix of plants wanting different situations.  I did well with the previous clematis planting it with harebells and small bulbs to give shade to the roots.  This Rebecca pot is too big for the clem to be planted alone.  However I will give these suggestions some serious thought - see if extra watering and feeding will solve the problem and if not I will move the lavenders and anemones after they have flowered.
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