My newly planted clematis has made lots of new growth, there were lots of leaves on the new tendrils but something is eating the leaves completely off just leaving the tendrils, any suggestions as to what this might be and how to treat it please
Slugs and/or snails. They love fresh clematis foliage.
Treat by picking them off around dusk when they come out to feast or with nematodes or slug pellets. If you use this last, do it sparingly and keep away from pets, children and hedgehogs. You could also try a beer trap - saucer or cup of beer placed in a shady spot near their target plant. Clean every morning.
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)."
Slugs - almost without doubt. It's the biggest issue with young plants in particular - but even with more mature plants. I've just had to remove a whole stem which had been damaged low down on my EV which is several years old and pretty robust now.
Ironic when considering that there have been fewer slugs and snails than usual this winter here as it was drier than it's ever been.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Our pleasure. If you give your clematis a liquid feed of tomato food it will soon put back what the slimesters ate but you do need to protect it from them..
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)."
Posts
Slugs and/or snails. They love fresh clematis foliage.
Treat by picking them off around dusk when they come out to feast or with nematodes or slug pellets. If you use this last, do it sparingly and keep away from pets, children and hedgehogs. You could also try a beer trap - saucer or cup of beer placed in a shady spot near their target plant. Clean every morning.
Ear wigs!!! They love my clems.
They prefer the flower buds don't they?
Ear wigs have always gone for the flowers but not the leaves here.
Slugs - almost without doubt. It's the biggest issue with young plants in particular - but even with more mature plants. I've just had to remove a whole stem which had been damaged low down on my EV which is several years old and pretty robust now.
Ironic when considering that there have been fewer slugs and snails than usual this winter here as it was drier than it's ever been.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you for all your help to everyone that replied
Our pleasure. If you give your clematis a liquid feed of tomato food it will soon put back what the slimesters ate but you do need to protect it from them..