Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Clematis problems

MrsMGMrsMG Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hi,  I have this clematis which as you can see started the season well and produced some truly beautiful blooms but now has this sad bedraggled looking appearance at a time when I should be expecting it to start budding for a second bloom.  I have kept it watered (not overly watered) during this dry period and, on a west facing wall, it only gets late in the day sun.  Can anyone suggest why it looks so sad and if anything can be done, if not now, but for next year? Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Not enough water. 
    Has it been pruned correctly? What variety is it? Is it potted or in the ground?
    If it's a Group 2, you would trim back after the first flowering to encourage the buds for a second lot later in the year. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Have a look at the base of the stems to see if slugs/snails have eaten the outer layer ('bark' if you like.)  Is it in the ground and if so how close is it planted to the wall?  I ask as it could simply have dried out - clematis need huge quantities of water (2 bucketfuls at least twice a week in hot dry weather) and walls suck moisture out of the soil.
    Try scraping a small area of 'bark' off near the top of one of the stems.  If it isn't green underneath that part is dead so move down the stem and try again.  If the whole stem is dead then cut it off at ground level and water the roots copiously.  With luck, new stems will emerge from below ground, although in some cases it may not do that until next spring, so don't lose hope if you see nothing happening in the next few weeks.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Are you stalking me @BobTheGardener?  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    When that happened to one of mine it was a slug. I found and killed the slug, but it was a bit late. It did grow again though, glad I hadn't dug it up.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • MrsMGMrsMG Posts: 6
    Thank you all.  In answer to you all, its a Josephine planted in a deep pot but next to the wall of the house. I have examined the "bark". This is how it looks at base.
    I am thinking that maybe watering is the issue as , although I have kept it regularly watered, I have not drenched it and maybe with the combo of weather and it growing up the side of my house...oh, and the self seeded ornamental grass that you can just see in the pot!!... I think that watering may indeed be the answer.  I am going to try a drastic prune back and plenty of water as Bob suggests and see what happens. Thank you
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited June 2020
    You need to address the soil levels in the pot too.
    Have you renewed the soil each year, or topped it up? It needs to be in a soil based medium, not just compost too  :)

    The pot looks small as well.
    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
    Thirst then and maybe hungry.  Celatis are thirsty, greedy plants.

    If you can't plant it in the ground at least 35cms out from a wall then give it a thorough soaking, a feed of slow release rose, clematis or tomato food, a top dressing of another inch or two of compost and make sure it doesn't get thirsty.   In warm, dry weather that can mean a daily watering and a weekly dose of liquid tomato feed will help too. 

    If you do plant it out, water it well first and then make sure its new planting hole is well prpeared so you can plant it 4" deeper than it is now and then mulch it with som egood compost or well rotted manure.  Water in well and then gve it a daily bucket of water till new shoots show.   Then you can prune the dead stems back down to any new buds and shoots.
    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
  • MrsMGMrsMG Posts: 6
    Thank you. The pot top looks small but it is actually quite deep. And I have just removed the layer of stones that sat in the top so thats why it looks like it needs top up. But you're right it could do with freshening up with new soil etc.  Thanks all for your tips.  I will go and pamper it now. 
Sign In or Register to comment.