They hang down, limp and sad. The leaves of the clematis looked he althy and strong just a few days ago. But now it's just a tragedy. What's behind it and how can clematis be helped?
Why does the clematis let its leaves droop?
If clematis leaves droop, the cause may be a lack of water, a disease such as clematis wilt, pests, or a nutrient deficiency. Regular watering, fertilizing and checking for diseases and pests can help resolve the problem.
Does the clematis suffer from a lack of water?
Inmost cases a lack of water in the clematis is the cause of its leaves drooping. It is extremely sensitive to dryness. Especially on hot summer days it happens that the leaves give way and demonstrate their desire for water by hanging down.
The only thing that helps here is regular and thorough watering of the climbing plant. In summer it has to be supplied with water almost every day. To reduce the loss of moisture from the soil, you can mulch or underplant the clematis in the root area.
What disease is behind drooping clematis leaves?
The most common disease behind drooping leaves isClematis wilt It can occur in two different forms: Phoma wilt and Fusarium wilt. The fungal pathogens of both forms of the disease cause the clematis leaves to droop and then die.
How do wilt diseases differ in clematis?
With Phoma wilt, the leaves are yellowish on the edges and increasingly developbrown spots in the middle. Later the leaves turn completely brown and fall off.
When Fusarium wilt occurs, the ducts in the leaves become blocked so that nutrients no longer arrive. This disease occurs much less frequently than Phoma wilt. It differs in thatno spots appear on the leaves.
If the infestation is too severe, the clematis should be cut back radically and then treated with a fungicide.
Do pests cause drooping leaves on clematis?
Pestscan also cause the leaves to droop. The clematis is particularly affected by spider mites and aphids under stress such as prolonged drought and heat. They suck out nutrients until the leaves droop and turn yellow. Therefore, check your clematis for pests if you suspect them!
Can too little fertilizer cause clematis leaves to droop?
Clematis require a lot of nutrients and a nutrient deficiencycan lead to yellowish and later hanging leaves. Sometimes it even leads to chlorosis, a disease of the leaves that can also promote the appearance of powdery mildew.
How can you prevent drooping leaves on clematis?
In general, the correctcare of clematis is the be-all and end-all, also to prevent diseases and pests. Water your clematis regularly, protect the root area from sun, give it fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season and cut it back annually depending on the species.
Tip
Water and fertilize clematis in the pot more often
Clematis grown in containers should be watered and watered more frequently than clematis grown outdoors. As soon as the surface of the earth has dried, you should provide a replenishment of water. Clematis in pots in particular often suffer from a lack of water and, as a result, drooping leaves.
