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Something is attacking our Clematis

Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 123
in Problem solving
Hi everyone. We recently bought a Clematis Sacha and it has been doing very well. We had an initial flush of flowers and since then it’s been growing fast. It looks like it will be flowering again soon but it also appears as if something is attacking it. Lots of the leaves and the flowers look like they’ve been eaten and there is black lava/eggs on certain parts too. I’ve posted some photos.  Does anyone know what it is? Is there a solution?

Many thanks,

Ed

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The leaves look as if adult vine weevils have been having a chew. 

    The insects are blackfly aphids. A squirt with a jet of water from the hosepipe every few days will usually get rid of them ... or even run your finger and thumb over them (rubber gloved if you like). 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited July 2020
    I get that sort of chewed look from snails who don't have altitude sickness.   Go out at dusk and check for them - or slugs - emerging for their night time feast.  

    Blackfly are often "imported" by ants who farm them for their sugary secretions so try making sure your clematis has plenty to drink - ants like dry conditions - and give it a  weekly feed of liquid tomato food when watering.   That will help it recover and grow new foliage and flower buds.
    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
    I have a couple that look like that they are in a 90cm tall trough but no sign of slugs and snails so I know it's vine weevil which I have  in abundance.
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 123
    Hi everyone and thank you very much for the advice. I can't see any sign of slugs or snails so it must be something that can fly! They also must appear at night as it looks fine during the day.

    I will keep and eye out.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    You'd be surprised where slugs and snails hide by day and how high they can climb by night.   We have high altitude snails here.
    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
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Both molluscs and adult vine weevil are mainly nocturnal feeders so best go out in the dark with a torch to get a positive ID;  You really do need to know if you have vine weevil present, especially if the clematis is in a pot or container or you may lose it if VW grubs eat the roots.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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