Clematis Wilt?

andrew.t_95 · April 2022

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if this looks like Clematis wilt? I've just noticed that some leaves have brown marks on them and unfortunately one of the new stems had drooped over - I immediately thought it was due to not getting enough water (hadn't had a drink in a couple of days) so I gave it a good drink but after a couple of hours it hadn't perked up, out of panic I've cut that shoot back to the base.

The variety is Clematis 'Pink Fantasy', its the second one I've grown in this container, the first was planted back in Autumn and quite quickly the leaves died, I assumed due to it starting to go dormant for winter, but come this Spring it hadn't taken off and when I dug back to the roots they had rotted - assuming due to sitting damp most of Winter. When planting this new one I did use new soil and gave a generous helping of Clematis feed but I did have to use about 10% of the old soil as I had run out of new soil.

I've given it a spray of fungicide although I know theres no chemical control available for Clematis wilt.

Some help identifying the cause would be massively appreciated! I'm in a bit of a upset panic mode at the moment

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Pete.8 · April 2022

It doesn't look like it to me.
I've had plants with it a couple of times.
Firstly, both recovered

new shoots reappeared after a few months.
When mine had it the whole plant just wilted almost overnight - all the stems and leaves.
Yours looks fine to me

GardenerSuze · April 2022

I can remember seeing a book just on the subject of clematis wilt. Not sure it would be possible to make a definate decision from your photos.
I have seen it but only a couple of times gardening professionally for 24 years. On both occasions the plants had actually wilted but I don't recall marks on the leaves. Not so easy in a pot but in the ground moving it to a different site in a garden can be the answer. Clematis wilt only affects the plant above ground not the roots.

punkdoc · April 2022

Fairly certain it isn't.
If a Clematis has wilt, it tends to totally collapse.

BlueBirder · April 2022

I have some similar marks on my clematis 'Etoile Violette', where the wind causes the leaves to rub against either the trellis, or the wall the trellis is against. The leaves go sort of black and shiny. My bad planning in terms of trellis positioning! But it could be that. I guess that kind of damage might make a plant more susceptible to infections, but the rest of your plant looks pretty healthy

Sazz101 · April 2022

I was at the Wisley plant fair a few weeks ago and a wonderful couple selling clematis explained that what I thought was clematis wilt every year was more than likely me over loving my plants with feed. If you have fed them recently above the recommended dose it may be that. The recommendation from this specialist nursery was to water thoroughly and then feed with a 1/4 dose strength of that you would give your other flowering plants.

Good luck!

puschkinia · April 2022

I have leaves like exactly like that on my young Guernsey Cream - they appeared just after some strong winds, so I put it down to wind damage. Hopefully I'm not wrong and it's the same for you!

Fairygirl · April 2022

Highly unlikely to be wilt. It doesn't look like it at all.
What you will need to to do though, is get it into a container of it's own, or in the ground. All that planting around it is competition - especially for water, which is vital. The container looks like a trough of some kind? Your clematis needs enough room for it's root system, so it needs decent depth. It's a Group 3, so needs pruning hard in early spring. It should also have been planted slightly deeper than it was in the pot it came in, which encourages new shoots from below ground level. Without that depth, it's difficult.
Too much artificial food is certainly not helpful in younger plants, and can be a hindrance. Clematis need food, but in decent soil, an application of compost and some slow release food is usually adequate. In a container, it's different, but if you're feeding those other plants, it could be far too much for such a young clematis.

GardenerSuze · April 2022

Groups 2 and 3 need to be planted deeply. you can cover about 5cm of stem. The plant will grow roots out of the stem. That is the key to growing well start with the roots.

andrew.t_95 · April 2022

Thanks everyone!

It's planted in a 18" deep planter - I've got a membership with the RHS and double checked with one of their professionals before proceeding and they were fairly certain that it would be O.K in it.

It's been planted about 6cm below the soil the line so the roots are nice and deep and a layer of grit around the surface to stop splash back - also forgot to mention I added a generous amount of grit to the soil to help with drainage (planter does have plenty of holes in the bottom for drainage).

I've checked on it today and it looks plenty happy so I must've had a mild bit of panic! It's been windy in London for the last several days so the logical conclusion is its just a bit of wind burn - as you said BlueBirder I think it must be from rubbing on the trelis.

Will make sure it gets a good drink of water from now on! Read yesterday it needs around 4 gallons of water a week - 6 if its been scorching.

Clematis Wilt?

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