Clematis

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by rosietutu, Jun 8, 2007.

  1. rosietutu

    rosietutu Gardener

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    "Polish Spirit" Clematis just got to the top of the fence covered in buds then...all drooping gave them food,+ extra care reckon it is the dreaded wilt...only just into these lovely plants the others all arond the garden are fine. Is it a virus? or what / shall I cut it down or uproot it? need some expert advice on this one please.
     
  2. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    If it wilted from the top down then it is likely to be as you suspect, wilt. Sadly there is little you can do if it is. BUT, if you planted it deeply as one is advised to do, then it WILL shoot from below ground level and flower again, maybe even later this year. Cut off the wilted material and burn or bin, not compost.
    To help in future, soak the plant and the area around it with a sustemic fungicide. This will not do much for the affected stems, but it does help future growth.
    Sometimes, the problem described as wilt is actually mollusc damage, the difference is in the way the plant droops, from the bottom up is likely to be snails or slugs. They love to eat the stem where it emergs from the soil. It is also their damage which allows the ingress of the wilt too.
     
  3. rosietutu

    rosietutu Gardener

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    Thankyou Palustrus Not slugs I do not have slugs...as soon as it rains I go out and put bait down reckon I have finished them all of. I have cut it right down to a couple of inches and it is the bin probably did not plant it deep enough think I may dig it out and put it somewhere else and yes I will give it a good dose of fungicide.
     
  4. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    A garden in Manchester many years ago kept records of the number of snails and slugs they killed. Over a period of 5 years they removed over 200,000 of them "with no visible diminution of numbers!". I'll bet there are still plenty in your garden, just well hidden!.
    If the plant is dead, then do not plant another clem in the same spot, the fungus will still be in the soil. Either rpleace the soil, 20 inches sq and a foot down or try the cardboard box idea used for combatting rose sickness. Plant Clems at least 4 inches deeper than they are in their plant pots.
     
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