Clematis Suppliers and Type ?

Well, Tetters, I wouldn't get too fixated by manure or enriched compost when it comes to Clematis. If you're going to plant a Clematis make sure you plant it at least a couple of inches, [I plant mine up to 6 inches deeper], deeper than the original level of pot compost, to help avoid Clematis Wilt, that the Clematis is in and keep it well watered for a week or two. It's well known that Clematis like their roots cool and moist and if you ensure that things will be fine.

 

Yep, I think the advice to not to use manure refers to fresh manure rather than well rotted manure as the former can be a bit "harsh". I'm not sure, in my experience, if Clematis are "hungry" plants although they do appreciate a bit of TLC. I have around 25-30 Clematis of, differing varieties, planted closely along the 4' long sides of the Trellis Entrance to the garden, making around 60 plants altogether. I admit they do get the occasional dose, when I remember, of Tomato Feed but that is it. They flower their "heads off" despite being closely planted, being planted in my sandy "hungry" soil, and the only occasional feed.
I have a C. Armandii that is planted against the trunk of an Acer Brilliantissimum and has been there for "many Moons" and yet, despite the competition from the roots of the Acer, Ferns, and Hellebores around it has draped itself happily among the boughs of the tree.........and that has never been fed. Having said that, it's not to say that I didn't lose some Clematis, in the early years, when learning what Clematis will suffer in the hands of an inexperienced/experienced gardener I think that our different experiences are due to the various micro-climates of our gardens, how we planted it and looked after during the early weeks and, of course, Luck!!

 

What is clematis wilt?


Clematis wilt is a disease of clematis caused by the fungus Calophoma clematidina (syn Phoma clematidina, Ascochyta clematidina). Many of the large-flowered hybrid cultivars are very susceptible, but the smaller flowered species appear to be much more resistant.

Wilting has long been recognised as a serious problem in clematis. Although it is known that Calophoma clematidina causes clematis wilt, there are many cases of wilting recorded where the fungus is not present. Research has clarified two important points:

1. Wilting in large-flowered hybrid cultivars may be caused by Calophoma clematidina, in which case it should be possible to find some of the symptoms described below
2. Wilting in resistant hybrids and species clematis is very unlikely to be C. clematidina, and is probably caused by environmental problems

So, although wilting in clematis plants is often blamed on the fungal infection, unless it affects one of the more susceptible large-flowered hybrids it is most likely to be caused by environmental problems.

Clematis is a plant which, in the natural environment, prefers a deep and fertile soil in a moist and shaded habitat. However, in gardens, clematis are often planted in shallow dry soils in exposed sites, often close to buildings. In such circumstances they suffer from root stress which contributes to poor growth and what is loosely described as wilt. Overall, infection by C. clematidina is a problem for the nursery trade and specialist growers, but relatively uncommon in gardens.



Symptoms


The symptoms of fungal infection and environmental stress can be similar. The following symptoms are associated with fungal infection:

• When fungal infection occurs through the leaves, these wilt and the leaf stalks turn black. Leaf infection is followed by rapid wilting of the stems
• Fungal infection can also occur through stems. Freshly affected stems show black discolouration of tissue when split open
• Young healthy shoots may be produced from the base of affected stems, sometimes from below ground

Control


Non-chemical control

• Try to create a suitable root environment by deep cultivation and mulching, to minimise root stress
• If fungal infection is suspected, cut out all wilted stems back to healthy (non-stained) tissue and promptly destroy the affected material to prevent it contaminating the soil. New healthy shoots may be formed at ground level
• Disinfect pruning tools to prevent spread of spores and avoid transferring infected plant and soil material to a new area
• Particularly susceptible cultivars include: Clematis ‘Henryi’, ‘Vyvyan Pennell’, ‘Mrs N. Thompson’, ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’, ‘William Kennett’, ‘Marie Boisselot/Madame le Coultre’, ‘Ernest Markham’. Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud'; C. 'Jackmanii' and C. 'Nelly Moser' are also susceptible
• Resistant cultivars and species include: Clematis ‘Avant Garde’, ‘Bonanza’, ‘Confetti’, C. alpina, C. montana, C. orientalis, C. viticella (which is tolerant rather than resistant), C. integrifolia, C. macropetala, C. tangutica

Chemical control
There are no chemicals available to treat clematis wilt.



Biology


Calophoma clematidina can survive in the soil on dead plant material and organic matter. Infection occurs when spores are splashed or otherwise carried to leaves or young stems. Infection spreads rapidly to the shoots and stems, which when split open, are stained black. Infection causes rapid wilting and death. The root system is often not killed and young shoots frequently regenerate from or below ground level. The disease is not immediately fatal, but susceptible cultivars will usually die eventually.






Clematis
Clematis: green petal
Clematis: pruning