This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
What's wrong with my clematis? And what can I do?
green fingered finch
Posts: 278
Hi all,
So this clematis we inherited didn't flower at all last year but looked really leafy and healthy. This year it developed some buds (presumably on last year's growth) but then suddenly went all yukky and started turning brown. Initially I thought it was some kind of bug as some of the buds seem to have holes in as if they have been nibbled. But almost all of it has now turned brown and crispy and the smaller buds have shrivelled up completely. Looks like there is only going to be one lonely flower 
Any ideas what could have caused this? And is there anything I can do to save it?
0
Posts
I think the buds are being attacked by some pest as mine has,the leafs turning brown may be a sign you have not watered it enough or it has wilt. I have sprayed mine with a weak solution of garlic as this deters pests but do not use on new planted plants as it will wilt them as it is to strong for them until there stronger.
Ooh that has answered my question flowering rose, I wanted to use garlic water on my seedlings to protect them from the almighty snails I have, but I am guessing this will harm the seedlings? (sorry for hijacking thread)
Could wind damage have caused the brown leaves on your Clematis? or the frost?
You need to cut off and remove all the stems at the base and give your plant an instant tonic of liquid rose or tomato feed so that it can recover. You can also give it a generous handful of slow releas cleatis food and mulch it - after it's had a good drink - with well rotted compost or garden manure or bought in soil conditioner to retain moisture round the roots and encourage beneficial soil organisms which will help it absorb food more easily and make it stronger.
It may take a while to recover so be patient and scatter a few wildlife friendly slug pellets the minute you see new shoots coming through as they are slug and snail caviar. Feed it, as above, every spring and early summer and it will eventually grow big and strong and not succumb to clematis wilt and be better able to deal with pests - just as well nourished humans with a balanced diet have a better immune system and fight off illness.
I'd agree with obelixx - feed well. A strong, healthy plant is able to cope with issues more readily and clematis are greedy plants. Snails will happily climb up and eat emerging buds so keep an eye out for them, and slugs love the soft new growth. I found one three feet up the stem of one of my new blackthorn hedging whips on Saturday!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for the advice. I'm reluctant to cut it down to the base Obelixx as its taken 2 years to grow since last cut down! Maybe I will try cutting out the dead bits and feed it and see what happens. I guess I can cut it down if all else fails. Its such a shame after waiting so long!
Never heard of garlic water for slugs! I go out daily to collect slugs and snails from the garden. Its become a bit of an obsession!
I got to admit it was devastating to cut mine down to the ground when I had exactly the same problem as you buts its growing back quite quick with strong healthy stems this year and nearly back to its original size. I believe mine was either caused by wilt or lack of watering during last years hot summer.
If it's wilt youhave to cut it all down before the wilt travels down the stems into the roots and kills the whle plant.
Bite the bullet, chop it back and feed well with slow release clematis food. You can also give it an instant tonic with liquid rose or tomato feed.
Got rid and planted a new one, which is (so far) growing beautifully!