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Clematis

lizzykincaidelizzykincaide Posts: 99
in Problem solving
My clematis is a few years old. It started this year looking healthy with lots of buds. However, some open but just as many drop off along with leaves with brown marks. I haven't seen any bugs and the soil isn't too wet/dry. Any advice?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    That is a camellia, I believe.

    They need correct compost for ericaceous plants and to be watered with rainwater or soft tap water, no hard water.  Otherwise they will drop flower buds and the foliage will be weakened and may also turn yellow, or chlorotic.

    They also need to be sited out of the early morning sun to avoid having any frozen buds thaw too quickly or they turn brown and may drop off.   They must not be allowed to go thirsty between July and October or this affects flower bud formation and they will either fail to form or drop off as the plant diverts water to save its foliage.
     
    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
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    @lizzykincaide , Obelixx is correct, it's a camellia not a clematis. I agree re: the watering, a lot of camellias are suffering this year after the dry summer we had.
  • lizzykincaidelizzykincaide Posts: 99
    Sorry, that was what I meant to write, thanks for the correction. I have used the correct soil and I have been using rain water when I can or water from the tap left for a few days. What can I do now to stop further leaf drop? 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Feed and water as indicated.  Thirsty plants drop leaves as do ones weak from hunger.
    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
  • lizzykincaidelizzykincaide Posts: 99
    Thank you 😊 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Ericaceous feed, sequestered or chelated iron (usually a liquid feed), Epsom salts poured over the foliage to fix magnesium deficiency (15ml to 5 litres of water).
    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
  • lizzykincaidelizzykincaide Posts: 99
    That’s brilliant, thank you Obelixx.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Good.  Sorry for the late info but confused you with another poster wondering about camellia problems.   Hope you get yours sorted out.   They are lovely.
    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
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