It's so devastating when the clematis wilts out of the blue. Ironically, the large-flowered hybrids reveal this sad picture in the middle of summer. You can read about the underlying causes and how to react to them here.
Cause #1 - Clematis Wilt
The damage picture gave the fungal infection its name. Where the cunning fungal spores attack a clematis, leaves and flowers wither within a few days. Therefore, there is an urgent need for action as soon as the first signs appear. How to act correctly:
- If brown spots appear on the foliage, all infected parts of the plant are cut away
- Then treat the entire clematis with a fungicide
- Immediately add 10 aspirin tablets to the irrigation water for every 5 liters
In the advanced stage, you cannot avoid cutting the clematis back to the ground. If the clematis was planted deep enough, with a little luck it will sprout again from the dormant buds. This hope exists because the fungal spores of clematis wilt do not infect underground parts of the plant.
Targeted prevention
Choosing a rain-protected location has proven to be the most effective prevention against clematis wilt. If you place the climbing plant under the protection of an overhanging roof, less water will reach the leaves and the fungal spores will be blocked from the central distribution path. This also includes not sprinkling the clematis overhead but pouring it directly on the roots.
Other causes of wilting clematis
If a fungal infection can be ruled out as the cause, the following triggers can be considered for a wilting clematis:
- over-fertilization
- Feeding damage by voles
- lack of water
Where long-term fertilizer is used for the nutrient supply of a clematis, the dosage recommendation must not be exceeded under any circumstances. Alternatively, fertilize the climbing plant organically with compost, horn shavings (€32.93) and comfrey manure. To prevent voles from tampering with the root ball, the planting pit is laid out with a vole grid. A thumb test of the substrate every 2 days reliably prevents a lack of water.
tips and tricks
Although clematis has no problems with soil fatigue, the soil should be replaced at the site after clematis wilt occurs. This prudence protects a newly planted clematis from being attacked immediately by the fungal infection.