Clematis wilt is rather like global warming and swine flu, you hear a lot about it but never actually see it. This is not clematis wilt, it is a sign that the plant is too dry.
Well they grow on a wall at least 7ft long so they are nice and spread out. They do grow beautifully, very full with masses of flowers. But then as I have said they start dying from the bottom up. And they have done this for the last 3 years so maybe there is just not enough nutrients in what I have been feeding them.
Can't wait now for summer to see what happens with a richer feed.
My evergreen clamatis(I have no idea the variety) has done great the prior 2 summers.(this being its 3rd) this year at least a quarter of the leaves have turned brown and died. Roots to hot? Not enough water? I'm befuddled.
Joolz, please keep me posted. Mine are doing the same thing. Beautiful and full of flowers in early spring and then BAM! Bottom half is brown. When I follow a brown stem it will eventually have green leafy sprouts and flowers or buds Half way up. The trellis is on the east facing side of the deck. The plants get shade on the roots by midday and the soil is plenty moist, but not drowned in moisture. I'm going to give a dose of Epsom and add some food in. I'll let you know the result. Please do the same for me and let me know what steps you took. ???
This is a very old thread pavedngold. I doubt Joolz is still around!
It sounds as if it's not been trained and tied in sufficiently well when younger, and is therefore leggy. If it's flowering in April, it's likely to be a montana or an alpina variety. If you can give more info that will help with advice.
Feeding it won't help if it's already sickly.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks obelixx. I think I shall feed them this year with a clematis feed and see if this makes a difference. I would normally just use Miracle Gro so maybe it's not quite rich enough.
Miracle grow is far too "rich" (too high in nitrogen.) "The current formulation of Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant food is 28-8-16. That means that it is 28% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus, and 16% Potassium."
"When should you feed clematis? What kind of fertilizer to use on clematis? Clematis is a heavy feeder; supply a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 in spring, when the buds are about 2 inches long.
Alternate feedings every 4 to 6 weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Continue this alternate feeding until the end of the growing season."
5-10-10 NPK in spring and 10-10-10 in summer.
Too much nitrogen is like someone on steroids. Good but unhealthy growth. I would not touch Miracle grow with a barge pole.
Miracle Grow might just work for annual bedding plants but for any plants you want to keep healthy for a few seasons leave well alone.
i was told to buy clematis feed by nursery and on the instructions it said feed every three months with this pellet feed the dose as per instructions but as in previous messages they say don't feed very much unfortunately a few of my clematis have lost leaves and now look really sad I had a lovely display early summer now all I have are brown sticks coming out the ground with a bit of growth at the top ?
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Clematis wilt is rather like global warming and swine flu, you hear a lot about it but never actually see it. This is not clematis wilt, it is a sign that the plant is too dry.
Well they grow on a wall at least 7ft long so they are nice and spread out. They do grow beautifully, very full with masses of flowers. But then as I have said they start dying from the bottom up. And they have done this for the last 3 years so maybe there is just not enough nutrients in what I have been feeding them.
Can't wait now for summer to see what happens with a richer feed.
Let us know how it goes, Joolz.
I will Gardening Grandma. Roll on summer.
My evergreen clamatis(I have no idea the variety) has done great the prior 2 summers.(this being its 3rd) this year at least a quarter of the leaves have turned brown and died. Roots to hot? Not enough water? I'm befuddled.
Joolz, please keep me posted. Mine are doing the same thing. Beautiful and full of flowers in early spring and then BAM! Bottom half is brown. When I follow a brown stem it will eventually have green leafy sprouts and flowers or buds Half way up. The trellis is on the east facing side of the deck. The plants get shade on the roots by midday and the soil is plenty moist, but not drowned in moisture. I'm going to give a dose of Epsom and add some food in. I'll let you know the result. Please do the same for me and let me know what steps you took. ???
This is a very old thread pavedngold. I doubt Joolz is still around!
It sounds as if it's not been trained and tied in sufficiently well when younger, and is therefore leggy. If it's flowering in April, it's likely to be a montana or an alpina variety. If you can give more info that will help with advice.
Feeding it won't help if it's already sickly.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Miracle grow is far too "rich" (too high in nitrogen.) "The current formulation of Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant food is 28-8-16. That means that it is 28% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus, and 16% Potassium."
"When should you feed clematis? What kind of fertilizer to use on clematis? Clematis is a heavy feeder; supply a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 in spring, when the buds are about 2 inches long.
Alternate feedings every 4 to 6 weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Continue this alternate feeding until the end of the growing season."
5-10-10 NPK in spring and 10-10-10 in summer.
Too much nitrogen is like someone on steroids. Good but unhealthy growth. I would not touch Miracle grow with a barge pole.
Miracle Grow might just work for annual bedding plants but for any plants you want to keep healthy for a few seasons leave well alone.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
hi
i was told to buy clematis feed by nursery and on the instructions it said feed every three months with this pellet feed the dose as per instructions but as in previous messages they say don't feed very much unfortunately a few of my clematis have lost leaves and now look really sad I had a lovely display early summer now all I have are brown sticks coming out the ground with a bit of growth at the top ?
The brown sticks and stems suggests clematis wilt
Read all about it.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=125
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/clematis-wilt/
Some of mine have it as well. We have had a very warm and damp summer which probably encourages this fungal disease.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'