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Clematis problem

phil walkerphil walker Posts: 8
in Problem solving
We have just planted 2 x clematis plants approx 10 inch high in readiness for training up a trellis. After following the provided instructions all appeared to be well but after 24 hours all the growth and foliage has fallen off and all we have is 2 x 4 inch bare stems. Is this normal? How can we recover this? Can someone help?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Slugs, snails or rabbits.  Give it a drink of liquid tomato feed if you can and scatter some wildlife friendly slug pellets about - just a few, not a carpet.  try going out with a torch just after sunset and pick them off if you see them.

    Peg that netting down firmly to the soil so any rabbits can't sneak under.
    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
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited April 2020
    they look too small to be planted out and would do better kept in a pots for a while.
    If they came in very small pots which supermarkets sell they need to be potted on in a deep pot to allow for good root growth.
    Have a look at Taylor's or Thorncroft clematis websites as they give advice.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Yep, 2nd photo shows something has been nibbling them and most likely rabbits.  I had an episode where all of my emerging clematis shoots were being removed just above ground and that turned out to be a rabbit.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • phil walkerphil walker Posts: 8
    Thanks for the replies they did come in narrow but deepish (9inch) post from a nearby garden centre which is doing deliveries only due to COVID and whilst we had them in pots in the garden they looked perfectly fine. Will tie down the netting as suggested. We are in an urban area with no wild rabbits nor is there any real evidence of  slugs. Will they recover do you think?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If their roots are healthy yes, they should put out new shoots but you'll have to be very efficient with protection.  If no rabbits, could be squirrels or meeces or voles maybe.   

    Slugs hide by day and you won't necessarily see any evidence so use pellets or a beer trap just in case.

    However, as they are so young I would be tempted to lift them out and pot up in 30cm pots for this season to let them grow on in peace.   Next year, depending on growth, move them to 45cm pots or else plant out.   If you pot them, use the best quality compost you can get and make sure they get watered regularly as they don't like to be thirsty and then feed occasionally with liquid feed.
    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
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    K67 said:
    they look too small to be planted out and would do better kept in a pots for a while.
    If they came in very small pots which supermarkets sell they need to be potted on in a deep pot to allow for good root growth.
    I have always found that the cheap small ones from the supermarket do far better than expensive more mature ones do.
    My theory is that as long as you plant it right the roots though small find their own way into the ground rather than a mature specimen which may have lots of roots but then fail to grow outwards.
    I always struggle in my garden to dig a hole deep enough for a large specimen!
    All my cheap £1.50 supermarket clematis have survived whereas ALL the expensive nursery grown ones have died!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • phil walkerphil walker Posts: 8
    Thanks for the replies chaps we will take these comments on board and hope for the best...
  • phil walkerphil walker Posts: 8
    I think I have discovered the culprits! I have nearby nesting starlings which are stripping leaves from my geraniums and other flowering perennials and having witnessed their tactics and tastes iam sure they have taken all the tasty growth and foliage from the clematis. They are now fully protected so I hope they will recover in time. What do you guys think?
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