Clematis...possible cause of death, anyone?

[Philippa May]

Hi

I bought and planted a spring flowering clematis around May and was astounded at how well it had been growing over the past few months. That was, up until a week ago. All of a sudden, in the space of about 2 days the leaves began wilting, the stems went brittle and it now looks completely beyond help. Before I attempt to buy another, does anyone have any ideas about possible reasons for its sudden demise? Also, is anyone does know of a miracle revival I'd be glad to hear it....

Thanks

Philippa

[digger]

hello Philippa, I have had similar problems that you experience damned annoying and expensive the problem is called clematis wilt and there is no cure, quite often the plant will still send out some new shoots, which is why you should plant clematis at least 4 inches deeper than they are in the pot. I have read that a copper fungicide may help but i tried this recently on my c.arctic queen and it didn't help one bit the whole plant is now brown and withered i just have to wait and see if any new growth appears.

[Paul Narramore]

Philippa

The sure fire way to save any clematis from the effects of clematis wilt, and I've said this many times, is to plant the new plant DEEPLY. Dig a hole 12" deep and place the plant in the bottom of it. Back fill with soil. If the plant get's clematis wilt, this will kill the plant down to soil level and no further. As it's deeply planted it will send up new shoots from the DEEPLY BURIED roots.

Believe me, I've lost half a dozen clematis before I finally saw the light. ;-)