My Clematis Montana is wilting - what should I do?
Ivonne Pereira-Thomas
Posts: 5
in Talkback
I have had my Clematis Montana since April. I planted it in a pot and although I didn't have many flowers from it, it was growing well all Spring. However, last week it started wilting and the stems are going brown. I also saw a hole in one of the leaves. I've read that wilt is almost unheard of in Montana but mine is most all wilted. What should I do?
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How big is your pot? Could your montana have run short of water in this hot spell? If not, I would suspect something is attacking the roots - if you turn it out of the pot you may see vine weevil grubs (whitish, C-shaped grubs with brownish heads), or something else significant like brown, rotten roots. Never heard of wilt attacking montana.
montania are best in the ground as they grow fast and spread they are not for the pot really your better with a smaller variety.Keep well watered every day for the first year and when the growing season starts ,they do not like being dry.they need feeding and pruned in the right season .Montainia s are hardy if planted in the ground and can be pruned hard if they over take there plot.
They're not really suited to containers unless it's a purpose built, generous one, as they need a good root run to sustain the vigorous top growth. There are plenty of clematis which will grow quite happily in pots but they will also need a lot more attention in long dry spells, as they need copious amounts of food and water to perform well.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
yes if you water well every day,a can full. they now have a very pretty small variety for baskets and pots ,you need to visit a garden centre or nursery.
It should be fine Ivonne. Prepare the hole well first. Water well before moving, and once you've got it in, then regularly if it's very dry until established and showing new growth. If you want a clematis for the pot, try looking on one of the specialist clematis growers sites - they're great for info. We often recommend Taylor's Clematis on here, who have a huge selection, and there's also Evison's. You'll be spoilt for choice!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Ivonne, Montanas grow huge, mine has covered a fir tree about 30-40ft tall so definitey not one for the container. If you go onto Taylors website take a look at the boulevard collection. They only grow about 4ft tall and are perfect for containers they also flower all summer so are good value. I dont think you will have a problem cutting down montana, they are really robust and should spring back no problem.