She doesn't sneak up, but attacks a clematis with vehemence. The clematis wilt particularly targets the magnificent, large-flowered hybrids and kills them within a few days. Explore our top 5 tips for control and prevention here.
How can I combat and prevent clematis wilt?
To combat and prevent clematis wilt, you should immediately remove infected leaves, cut back the plant, add aspirin to the irrigation water, choose the location carefully and plant the clematis deep enough to encourage budding.
Tip 1: Remove infected leaves immediately
In warm, humid weather, you should be on heightened alert, as ideal conditions now exist for the clematis wilt pathogens. Check your clematis daily. If brown spots with a yellowish vestibule appear on the leaves, the fungal spores have struck. Cut out infected plant parts promptly with sharp, disinfected scissors. Then treat the clematis with an approved fungicide, such as Neudorff Atempo Pilzfrei (€39.00 at Amazon) or Compo Duaxo Universal Pilzfrei.
Tip 2: Cut back wilted clematis close to the ground
In the advanced stage, hobby gardeners cannot avoid pruning. If the entire clematis wilts, cut all tendrils back to just above the ground. With a little luck, the underground parts of the plant are not affected and will sprout again within the coming weeks, months or years.
Tip 3: Aspirin strengthens the immune system against clematis wilt
At first glance it seems like an April Fool's joke and has proven itself in the naturally cultivated hobby garden. Salicylic acid strengthens the defenses against fungal infections in plants. Since this active ingredient is present in the form of acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin tablets, treat a clematis infected with clematis wilt after pruning as follows:
- Dissolve 10 aspirin tablets in 5 liters of water
- Use this mixture as irrigation water from now on
Tip 4: Choosing the right location prevents clematis wilt
In imperial weather, a clematis is in no danger of being threatened by clematis wilt. Only moisture provides the breeding ground for the cunning fungal spores. Therefore, plant a clematis in a rain-protected location, such as a roof overhang. This caution drastically reduces the risk of infection.
Tip 5: Plant clematis deep enough - this way it will sprout again
In view of the rapid spread, clematis wilt leaves a clematis with little chance of survival. However, that doesn't mean that you have to give up completely. If you plant a young plant deep enough, there is a good chance that it will sprout again. This hope is fueled by the fact that the fungal spores usually spare underground shoots and roots. How to do it right:
- The planting hole is twice as deep as the root ball is long
- Lay out a drainage system made of gravel or grit at the bottom of the pit
- Plant the clematis so deep that 1 to 2 pairs of buds come underground
Place the young plant in the ground at a slight angle to support more intensive root formation.
Tips & Tricks
Clematis wilt is a highly contagious disease. Therefore, never dispose of cut leaves, flowers and shoots in the compost, but rather in household waste. The same applies to fallen leaves from an infected clematis, because from here the fungal spores look for new victims in the garden.
