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 viticella wilting

BovBov Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hi, does anyone know what might be the issue with our clematis? It’s been in around 6 weeks and seemed to be progressing well, but the last week has really wilted. It’s a viticella “sea breeze”. Thanks


Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Bov I think it is just settling in and stressed in it's new home. Clematis Wilt is rare and doesn't seem to affect Viticellas. Dry air could be affecting it too. I would water deeply every few days at the roots using a can, don't feed it. It is rather small to be in the ground and would have been better potting on to form a bigger stronger plant. A good established root systen is the best way to grow clematis. It is these plants that will grow on to flower well. You often find small plants at good prices in supermarkets. These plants are not big enough to put in the ground.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Check for slug and snail damage, they often bite through young shoots.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Snails will also ‘graze’ the bark off the main stems 😡 

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





  • BovBov Posts: 10
    Thanks for the comments. The clematis was from Taylor’s so should hopefully have been pretty established. We have had issues with cats doing their business nearby (no matter what we try to stop them!), although I doubt that would have an impact? Here are some pics of it looking healthier.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think slugs/snails are the most likely reason, as already said.
    They're very prone to attack.
    I'm now considering chucking clematis completely because they're such a problem.  With lots of other plants too   :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    That stem looks to me as if the bark has been grazed off. 

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





  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    You need to remove it from the support it cam with, and get it supported on other canes [ more loosely] until it reaches the trellis, then you can start to tie it to that.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I would dig it out carefully, after a generous watering, and grow it on in a pot for a year or two.  Use good, loam based John Innes no 3 type compost mixed with about 20% MPC and keep it watered while it establishes itself.

    Assuming it recovers, plant it out again in spring in a well prepared hole and about 4"/10cms deeper than it was in the pot.   Give it a good drink and a mulch and a beer trap for slugs and snails.

    Whatever you do it needs freeing from those plastic ties and training across a decent trellis or tensioned wire system and regular watering with an occasional boost of liquid tomato feed in the growing season.
    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
Sign In or Register to comment.