It starts in the lower area. Yellow-brown spots form on the foliage near the ground. Within a short time, many brown leaves appear on the clematis because the clematis wilt has struck. Here's how to deal with it.
What to do if the leaves on clematis are brown?
Clematis with brown leaves may indicate a fungal infection called clematis wilt. To combat this, cut out infected parts of the plant, dispose of them in household waste and treat the plant with a suitable fungicide. Planting young plants deeper and targeted irrigation can help as a preventive measure.
Large-flowered hybrids are endangered
Brown leaves on a clematis indicate an infestation by clematis wilt. If the damage occurs in May/June, it is Phnoma wilt. In midsummer, however, Fusarium wilt strikes. Since both cases involve a fungal infection, the diseases are summarized under the term clematis wilt. Highly cultivated hybrids are primarily at risk, while robust, small-flowered wild species are spared.
Preventing and combating clematis wilt – this is how it works
To prevent brown leaves on a clematis and the subsequent death of the climbing plant, here's how to prevent clematis wilting:
- Set young plants 7-10 centimeters deeper than during cultivation
- Check the leaves regularly from May onwards
- Cut out suspicious plant parts when the first leaf spots appear
- Fasten the clematis securely so that no shoots break off and become infected
- Do not water Clematis, but water directly to the roots
Where the fungal infection breaks out, the entire clematis is cut back. To prevent the spread, the clippings are disposed of with household waste. Then treat the suffering climbing plant with a fungicide that is approved for use in the home garden. If the shoots are already infected, the above-ground parts of the plant will no longer be able to be saved. With a bit of luck, the clematis will sprout again from he althy roots next year.
Tips & Tricks
Organic gardeners swear by the effectiveness of salicylic acid in preventing fungal infections on plants. After each pruning, an endangered clematis receives 10 aspirin tablets, dissolved in 5 liters of irrigation water to strengthen the immune system.
