The drama takes its course within a few days. It begins with brown spots on the leaves and ends with the death of the entire clematis. This is mostly due to clematis wilt. Here are tips for combating and preventing it.

Clematis wilt - symptoms and control

The danger for clematis is particularly great in humid and warm weather conditions. The spores of the dreaded fungal disease attack the foliage from below. Brown spots with yellow edges develop. Within a few days, all of the foliage, including the tendrils, will turn brown and the vine will die. The sooner you act, the better:

  • Check the foliage of a clematis daily from May for discoloration
  • At the first symptoms, cut off all suspicious parts of the plant
  • Do not dispose of the clippings in the compost, but in the household waste
  • Treat the clematis with a commercially available fungicide

If the disease is already more advanced, you cannot avoid a complete pruning down to the ground. If the clematis has been planted deep enough, there is a good chance that it will sprout again within the next 1-2 years.

Selection of variety and location prevents clematis wilt

It is usually the large-flowered hybrids that suffer from clematis wilt. Robust wild species such as Clematis alpina have a natural defence. Celebrities like Clematis Dr. Ruppel, The President or Elbflorenz are more likely to be preyed on by fungal spores. Careful choice of location makes a valuable contribution to keeping these beautiful flowers healthy:

  • A semi-shady, wind-protected place without summer heat build-up is ideal
  • Protection from rain under an eave keeps fungal infections at bay
  • Be sure to plant clematis in well-drained, humus-rich soil without waterlogging

If you cultivate a clematis in a bucket on the balcony, a place under the awning is a great advantage. The less moisture gets to the leaves, the more promising the defense against fungal diseases.

tips and tricks

If a clematis is used as a green facade, the distance to the climbing aid should be 40 to 50 centimetres. In this way, the rear ventilation of the climbing plant is ensured as an effective prevention against fungal infections. Bamboo sticks act as guide rods so that the tendrils find their way to the trellis after planting.

Category:

Indoor plants