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Clematis outer skin splitting.

johngates.ascottjohngates.ascott Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hi, I have various clematis plants which are all suffering the same problem which does not seem to conform to the various help pages. The stems appear to split their outer skins exposing the inner layer, and this in turn causes the stem to die. I have pruned off the affected branches but this does not stop the progress of the splitting. I have given a clematis feed every two weeks during the season and ensured the plants are well watered. The problem started early summer and continues now in early winter. Can anybody suggest what the problem might be
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  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    A picture would help, as I can't quite understand what you mean.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • johngates.ascottjohngates.ascott Posts: 9

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited December 2022
    I can't really see any problem. What is it you think is wrong?

    Clematis don't need fed every two weeks.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • johngates.ascottjohngates.ascott Posts: 9
    Thank you for your reply Punkdoc. The photo shows the split of the outer casing - and anything past this point will shrivel and die within a few days. The leaves go soft, brown and fall - they do not go yellow as might be expected in autumn. Although the photo is of a bending branch the problem occurs on straight, horizontal or vertical stems.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've turned it to make it easier to see  :)


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • johngates.ascottjohngates.ascott Posts: 9
    Another photograph.
  • johngates.ascottjohngates.ascott Posts: 9
    Thank you Pansyface, I think that is caused by the transfer to this site. The outer skin is the expected oak brown, and the inner core is ivory sort of white.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited December 2022
    Your last pic shows very tight string - that will rub the outer layer of the stems, and cause a lot of damage.
    If you tie tightly to the support, then loosely round the stem, that will help  :)

    Looking again- is the string round the clem stems or is that the support? It's the part with the cord/string tied tightly that looks damaged. I'm slightly confused by the pic now!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I am assuming that the cane is to the left of the photo. My first thought was the same as @Fairygirl has the string rubbed and cause the damage or is the problem in various parts of the plant. Do you know what group it is will it be cut away in early spring.  You do seem to have a pair of strong buds further down.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • johngates.ascottjohngates.ascott Posts: 9
    Thank you Pansyface. The clematis is supported on a blue wire which you might see in the photograph. The thought of the binding being tight is a good one, but the problem occurs on stems which have no binding at all.
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