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Clematis wilt

mmsj496mmsj496 Posts: 70
in Problem solving
I have just cut back a group 2 (Bernadine) that got battered in the recent weather.  I think it has clematis wilt - see photos.  What is the best thing to do please?  Cut it right back and start again, or dig it up and plant another variety?

Posts

  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Can't really help, but my experience of clematis wilt... I had two Niobes in the bed last year, both suffered. I unearthed them, and replanted them in pots. They both started blindingly this year, but again, both developed wilt. I think they've had their last chance...
    Lincolnshire
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Easy to tell Wilt. The plant dies from the bottom up whereas damage by slugs or snails or gardener and the plant dies from the top down.
  • Claire.williamsClaire.williams Posts: 19
    I think that's also my problem as well as powdery mildew...any hope for a resolvement? (See pics)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Lack of water Clare. It's quite common, and many clems will still perform quite well despite it.
    As Palustris has said - clematis wilt is quite different to anything else. Very few clematis suffer from it too.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Claire.williamsClaire.williams Posts: 19
    Fairygirl said:
    Lack of water Clare. It's quite common, and many clems will still perform quite well despite it.
    As Palustris has said - clematis wilt is quite different to anything else. Very few clematis suffer from it too.
    I water vigorously throughout the growing season, even when we’ve had downpours...still lack of water? Thank you 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most likely Clare, especially when you have quite a lot of other planting around, which is all competition for moisture. Most of the clems which flower at this time of year need a lot of water to do well. They have a lot of top growth to support.  :)
    Your clem is also right next to a fence, which can mean it's in a bit of a rain shadow, so it's easier for it miss any rainfall, even if it's in the path of the prevailing weather. 

    You could also try training stems horizontally on the fence when you cut it back. A few vine eyes and wire is all that's needed. That way, you'll get more coverage over the fence, instead of it all being vertical.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mmsj496mmsj496 Posts: 70
    Thanks Palustris for that really useful tip - it does indeed have wilt.  However, I think it has had wilt for a long time, and has flowered really well every year.  It is only this year when the blooms got sodden and I was concerned about their manky-ness as a possible cause of infection or mould, that has caused me to prune really hard at this time of year.  I might not give up on the plant, and remove all parts affected by wilt (even if that is right back to ground level) and see what happens next year.

    Thanks all.
  • Claire.williamsClaire.williams Posts: 19
    Thank you @Fairygirl 😊
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