Forum home› Problem solving

Mildew on Clematis

lavenderlasslavenderlass Posts: 89
in Problem solving

Does anyone have aproblem with mildew on clematis.  It is  one called Durandii and it flowers really well every year but also suffers with mildew.  Are there any solutions for this.(The plant is lovely and I've had it about six years.)  Have been trying to take cuttings (without success) just in case.

Posts

  • BookertooBookertoo Posts: 1,306

    Most plants have tended to have mildew this year, loads of rain early followed by sun and migginess- ideal onditions.  many plants have a larger than usual amount of leaf due to the wet, this overhangs the ground and so tends also to enourage the damp humid conditions right for mildew.  Are there any neighburing plants that c ould do with a haircut and so let more air to your 'Durnadii'?  I have this clematis also, it is very lovely - though I totally ignore it from one year to the next so am always delighted when it reappears.  Think I will continue on that road as it seems to have worked so far.  it does get a bit of fertiliser around April time along with everything else, but that is it really. 

  • lavenderlasslavenderlass Posts: 89

    Thanks Bookertoo.  There were plants around it but I have cleared them out as they were getting far too big and not flowering.  Perhaps I will leave space around it and see what happens.  Trouble is when I have spare soil I must put a plant or plants in it. Have given it tomatoe feed a couple times but perhaps chicken pellets would be better (have never used them but have read about them). 

  • BookertooBookertoo Posts: 1,306

    Chicken pellets are good for most general fertilising - clematis are one of the few plants for which I buy a specific fetiliser as they are such greedy platns, and need all the grub they can get!  Sometimes I feel like sending out for a 12 inch pizza for them!!   I know what you mean about planting any spare bit of earth with a plant, and later on when your clematis are settled you can plant closer - the roots need to be cool while the head needs to be warm - some people put stones or such over the rooted area for clematis'.  As said earlier, this year has just been a difficult one for many things, mildew included - the bases of the echinops are well covered with it as well.  I shall take some leaves off to get some air in and hope for the best. 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,014

    I use chicken pellets for general fertilising, and then for roses and other flowering shrubs such as clematis I use this, http://www.vitax.co.uk/index.php/area/home-garden/organic-plant-feeding/organic-rose-food/ or similar.

    My veronicas look as if they've been dipped in flour - there's so much mildew on them! 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LunarzLunarz Posts: 93

    Here is an organic solution I use on mildew:

    • 1 gallon of water
    • 1 tablespoon of baking soda
    • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
    • 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid
    This works by raising the pH of the leaves, which creates an environment which isn't suitable for mildew.  It may not get rid of the current mildew, but it will certainly stop it spreading.  Also meant to be good is cow's milk believe it or not: mix 1 part milk with 9 parts water and spray the stems and tops of leaves with the solution. 
    If you remove or collect up any diseased leaves, it's important not to put them in the compost which you are then planning to use in the garden,m as it may spread the mildew to plants in the future.  You should also wash any secateurs you use on the mildew too.  Good luck with it - it is such a nightmare when a lovely plant gets covered in mildew isnt' it image
  • lavenderlasslavenderlass Posts: 89

    Many thanks to you all for the help.  I shall try the organic solution and certainly look at the web site for fertilizers.  Hopefully next year will be much better.

Sign In or Register to comment.