I had a struggling one and it turns out the roots were suffering under those 'tea bag' pouches. I planted it in my early days of gardening and must have not noticed.
Garden is very sheltered and rarely if ever gets beneath 2/3 degrees. Many tender plants survive winters here.
it's also rarely windy, if ever, for the sane reason.
I don't doubt richard's expertise for a minute, but it really does sound like my plant may have become too hot where it is currently and needs sheltering from the sun at its base.
I will try that first.
No idea what tea bag pouches are!
Thanks for all your inputs, something has to work out of that lot.
From what you've said, I think it's probably dry, and the roots aren't able to support the top growth as it will have put on that growth very quickly in the early warmth. Also, did you water it well and make sure the roots weren't tight when you planted it? Apologies if you've done all that, but sometimes the simplest things can cause issues.
Young, tender foliage is very vulnerable to any sudden changes in temp too, even in a mature plant of any kind, not just clematis. Have you checked to see that the soil it's in isn't dry further down? It's surprising how quickly a pot will dry out, especially when there's other planting in there as well.
To be honest, I'd have said cold wind or frost too - the appearance is fairly typical of that, but if you think you haven't really had any then that's fair enough.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fairygirl - yes, I've watered it religiously since day 1. I never changed its watering regime, and even topped up after rainfall, as it often isn't enough unless very heavy.
I checked soil down to about halfway and it felt moist.
The other planting is minuscule - a tiny cutting of a hardy geranium only.
No forst to speak of since I planted it though. Yes, we had some of that Arctic chill the other week, but this wilting started before that, when the weather was milder.
I'll move the pot to a cooler place, where its feet are shaded, but it can climb up to the sunlight and watch out for slugs!
"Tea bag" pouches are what some nurserymen (probably a machine these days) plant seeds into.
They are essentially the large versions of actual tea bags, They hold the developing seeds in compost bags but the bags do not expand and the roots cannot easily get through the tea bag fabric. The plant root cannot grow out as they should and the plant is stunted before it gets into your garden soil .
Those in the know now strip off the "tea bag" as soon as possible to let the roots out .
"Tea bag" pouches are what some nurserymen (probably a machine these days) plant seeds into.
They are essentially the large versions of actual tea bags, They hold the developing seeds in compost bags but the bags do not expand and the roots cannot easily get through the tea bag fabric. The plant root cannot grow out as they should and the plant is stunted before it gets into your garden soil .
Those in the know now strip off the "tea bag" as soon as possible to let the roots out .
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Have you dug up the roots and checked them?
I had a struggling one and it turns out the roots were suffering under those 'tea bag' pouches. I planted it in my early days of gardening and must have not noticed.
Garden is very sheltered and rarely if ever gets beneath 2/3 degrees. Many tender plants survive winters here.
it's also rarely windy, if ever, for the sane reason.
I don't doubt richard's expertise for a minute, but it really does sound like my plant may have become too hot where it is currently and needs sheltering from the sun at its base.
I will try that first.
No idea what tea bag pouches are!
Thanks for all your inputs, something has to work out of that lot.
From what you've said, I think it's probably dry, and the roots aren't able to support the top growth as it will have put on that growth very quickly in the early warmth. Also, did you water it well and make sure the roots weren't tight when you planted it? Apologies if you've done all that, but sometimes the simplest things can cause issues.
Young, tender foliage is very vulnerable to any sudden changes in temp too, even in a mature plant of any kind, not just clematis. Have you checked to see that the soil it's in isn't dry further down? It's surprising how quickly a pot will dry out, especially when there's other planting in there as well.
To be honest, I'd have said cold wind or frost too - the appearance is fairly typical of that, but if you think you haven't really had any then that's fair enough.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fairygirl - yes, I've watered it religiously since day 1. I never changed its watering regime, and even topped up after rainfall, as it often isn't enough unless very heavy.
I checked soil down to about halfway and it felt moist.
The other planting is minuscule - a tiny cutting of a hardy geranium only.
No forst to speak of since I planted it though. Yes, we had some of that Arctic chill the other week, but this wilting started before that, when the weather was milder.
I'll move the pot to a cooler place, where its feet are shaded, but it can climb up to the sunlight and watch out for slugs!
Jess is in the Garden
"Tea bag" pouches are what some nurserymen (probably a machine these days) plant seeds into.
They are essentially the large versions of actual tea bags, They hold the developing seeds in compost bags but the bags do not expand and the roots cannot easily get through the tea bag fabric. The plant root cannot grow out as they should and the plant is stunted before it gets into your garden soil .
Those in the know now strip off the "tea bag" as soon as possible to let the roots out .
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Thanks for explaining to those not totally in the know:-)
Named clematis cultivars are not grown from seeds, they are propagated from cuttings, grafted, division or layering.
Update: clematis now has its feet in total shade, the rest is in the sun for about 5 hours per day.
It has had plenty of water and is free draining, no water logging (have checked - soil nice and moist).
No insects to speak of.
I have put down eco slug pellets, that normally work well in other area, but haven't seen any telltale traces of slime ever.
I've even sprayed it with fungicide, in case it is a fungal wilt.
It is getting yellower by the day and there are no more new shoots trying to merge. Only 2 set,s of the original 6 are left.
It is definitely going to die at this rate, and I've absolutely no idea what to do next.
I've only ever had success with my clems and I have tried all the advice - HELP!
It has been very warm here in London the past few days and the last frost we had was well over 3 weeks ago, by the way.
Is it waterlogged then?
Jess - can you take a photo ofthe area where the clem is planted - and the other things round it?
I know you have a fence or something behind it. Has there been a preparation or some paint used nearby?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...