Solved Hmmm. What is it?

Hi all. Me again. Any ideas what this is please? As you can see on the first picture the stem on the left is OK but the one the right is not happy. Any ideas anyone? TIA X

 

Is it a type of Clematis?

 

It's probably been chewed by slugs/snails, hence the wilting, or it's too wet/too dry.
The pot it's in may not be ideal for it, but it's difficult to judge if you don't know the variety. They don't all have the same requirements - with moisture or pruning, and that can make a difference as to the care it gets. That care is also a big factor for the health of the plant and it's ability to manage pests etc.
How long have you had it and did it not have a label? Has it ever flowered?

You can just remove that wilted stem back to a joint though.

 

Clematis do not like to be restricted in small pots, their roots can extend for surprisingly large distances, plus the roots generally need to be in cool shade.

Much better if you can place it deep in garden soil ideally where the soil does not get too much sun.

btw - hope you have a waterproof cover for the 13a socket on the wall ?

 

I recently had a Clematis in the ground with exactly the same symptom with the last two or three inches of growth wilting on a single stem. I pruned it initially but it got progressively worse so I removed it. I replaced it with another Clematis which exhibited the same symptom within six weeks. I removed it a couple of weeks ago and have now replaced it with a large leaved ivy which is fine, so far. The location is ideal for a Clematis, cool shaded roots, sunny above and improved soil. Another Clematis three feet away on the other side of the arch is flowering away like there's no tomorrow! I'm puzzled by this and wonder whether a soil borne fungus could have been imported with the first Clematis which remained in the soil to affect the second one.

 

You are probably refering to Clematis Wilt which is well covered here -
Clematis wilt / RHS Gardening

Also see this site which details planting them Deep which can help them regrow if they suffer from Wilt.
How to Grow Clematis Guide | Ashridge Advice

 

Thank you @ricky101, that’s what I suspected. The only Clematis I’ve had success with here is a group 3, C. Etoile Violette which has been a good performer from the start. I don’t think my sandy soil really suits them, even with improvements. The replacement ivy should be OK, under tight control.

 

Had various success and failures with Clematis but will always try and have some, even if they only last a season or two, such great flowers when they do bloom.
Jackmanii and Nelly Moser generally last well for us, as do the Montanas if you have the room.
We usually grow Sweet Peas up the same post as the Clematis so we have a continuation of flowers.

Ivys can look good and are very "green" but would say never grow them against a house wall or similar as the tendrils are virtually impossible to remove and will leave a brick wall looking a mess for many years.

 

Yes @ricky101, I know that ivies can be problematic with their aerial roots like Velcro! Mine is on an arch so it will be fine, like another which I have on a half obelisk which I regularly prune. I like their evergreen presence over winter, plus the variegation which adds light.

 

You might be better with some of the early types @Plantminded as they don't like the same conditions as the large flowered ones.
Mine [alpinas etc] grow in raised beds, often with other planting, up against the fences to counteract the weather, and they never get any food or watering from me. They've been better than ever this year because the milder conditions have meant they've grown like mad after flowering too.

 

Thank you @fairygirl, I may give them a try!

 

Yes it probably is. Thanks

 

I've had it a year or so, I think. It didn't fair well, so I left it but then this year it started to come back. I think it may be a clematis but I have several others and they are fine. Warm bidues, cool feet etc. I'll check the roots for damage/infestations and take it from there. Many thanks

 

I don't know what the term 'warm bidues' means @eddybaby ?
However, I'm guessing it may be to do with the 'heads in sun and feet in shade' myth that gets put around about clematis. Many clematis grow in full shade, and many need a good bit of shade to maintain the flower colour well. They can bleach very easily in too much sun

Many clematis can be successfully grown in a container, but some aren't suited to that either, especially types like montanas as they need a lot of root room to do well. Many are smaller even when mature and can therefore live in a contianer happily long term. They're all fine when being grown on to reach maturity and to gain a good root system. Some grow from an existing framework of stems/branches and some don't, and that's where the pruning comes into it as well.

A plant in a pot also has different requirements from the same plant in the ground, because it can't access food and water in the same way, so they usually need more attention and maintenance.

It's worth looking on one of the specialist growers' websites for general care and info too, but it's difficult if you don't what type it is. If it's throwing up new shoots from the base and below soil level, it's likely to be a Group 2 or 3 though. The early Group 1s produce their new growth from that existing framework.

 

Should have read warm bodies Many thanks for the info