It's so devastating when the clematis wilts out of the blue. Of all things, the large-flowered hybrids reveal this sad picture in the middle of summer. You can read about the causes behind this and how you can react to them here.
Why is my clematis wilting and what can I do about it?
If a clematis wilts, the cause can be a fungal infection (clematis wilt), but also over-fertilization, feeding damage by voles or a lack of water. Affected plant parts should be removed and the clematis treated with fungicide to prevent further damage.
Cause No. 1 – Clematis wilt
The damage gave the fungal infection its name. Wherever the cunning fungal spores attack a clematis, leaves and flowers wilt within a few days. Therefore, there is an urgent need for action at the first signs. How to act correctly:
- If brown spots appear on the foliage, all infected plant parts are cut away
- Then treat the entire clematis with a fungicide
- From now on, add 10 aspirin tablets to the irrigation water for every 5 liters
In the advanced stage you have to cut the clematis back to the ground. If the clematis was planted deep enough when planting, with a little luck it will sprout again from the sleeping buds. This hope exists because the fungal spores of clematis wilt do not infect underground parts of the plant.
Targeted prevention
Choosing a location protected from the rain has proven to be the most effective prevention against clematis wilt. If you place the climbing plant under the protection of a roof overhang, less water reaches the leaves and the central distribution route is closed to the fungal spores. This also includes not watering the clematis overhead but rather watering directly at 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:
- Overfertilization
- Eating damage caused by voles
- Water shortage
Where long-term fertilizer is used to supply a clematis with nutrients, the dosage recommendation must under no circumstances be exceeded. Alternatively, fertilize the climbing plant organically with compost, horn shavings and comfrey manure. To prevent voles from messing with the root ball, the planting pit is lined with a vole grid. A thumb sample of the substrate every 2 days reliably prevents water shortages.
Tips & Tricks
Although the clematis has no problems with soil fatigue, the soil at the site should be replaced after clematis wilt appears. This caution protects a newly planted clematis from being immediately attacked by the fungal infection.
