Hallson Gardens

I have two young clematis, one planted last year and one this year. One has two stems climbing straight up a trellis. The other has one very long stem. They both seemed healthy, one was filled with blooms, the other had buds.

About two weeks ago I noticed the buds and leaves at the top of one stem were hanging down, looking droopy. The other stem looked fine and continued blooming. I couldn't find any damage on any part of the stem. I cut off the droopy dying stem. The other stem of the same plant continues to do fine.

Then this weekend I noticed the same thing on the other clematis. Grrrrr!! So I checked the internet and it sounds like Clematis Wilt. So I cut off the entire affected stem.

OED or others, do you have this problem and what do you do about it. The internet said to cut off the affected stem and then sterilize your tools. They also said it rarely kills an entire plant. I hope this is true!

Thanks for any help.

I HAVE seen it kill an entire plant.

First of all, a preventive measure is to plant your clematis 2-4" deeper than it is in the pot in which you bought it. If you received a bare-root plant, plant it with the crown at least two inches beneath soil surface.

At the first sign of trouble, I would drench the plant with a fungicide, besides cutting off any affected stems. Fungicides (Captan, Benamyl and others) tend to be highly toxic, so be sure to carefully read the label first and follow instructions.

Ditto what Victoria said! I always plant mine deep. New shoots will come back from the ground. I haven't used any fungicides on mine. Just cut and toss (not on the compost pile). I've never had one die completely. I like to believe it's because of the deep planting.

They willl come back in a year or 2
It is a fungus, but at least here we have no cure for it, it do not spread to other plants.
Clematis like deep planting, but I do not think it help with the wilt... some of them just get it

Never seen it on an old plant, have you ???
Pia

I agree that the deep planting wont help prevent it, but the plant has a better chance of recovery. The oldest plants that I have that get it are 5-6 yrs old. None of my older ones get it. Never really thought about that!

I have had a couple of clematis die of 'wilt' but they both came back strongly the next year. I have never used chemicals
Pia ... very interesting ... you know... you are right!!!!!
I have never had wilt on an established plant
Hagley Hybrid died of wilt in each of its first two years.
It is now as strong as a horse

I had a huge several year old plant that thickly covered a trellis that was about 4 feet wide and 8 feet high that got it, died back completely, and came back strong the next year. I didn't use any chemicals - actually I just figured it was a goner

Thanks, I feel much better now. I cut off the "wilted" parts of the plants and they both still have at least one stem that wasn't affected (at least not yet). My fingers are crossed!!

Just reporting in that I cut off the "wilted" part of both plants and they seem to be thriving! Thanks for the help and advice!!!!!!

The Story Continues . . .

The poor clematis struggled the remainder of last year. This spring he took off, then wilted again right away.

So I took your advice, cut it off at ground level, dug the whole thing up and planted it deeply in a well-amended hole on the west side of the house, right near the spigot so I can keep it well-watered.

It immediately shot up 4 new stems and is blooming already, and showing no signs of wilt. Not bad considering it had to start over just 2 months ago!!

Thanks all!!!

Jane, it could still wilt next year, but the deep planting will help it send up stronger shoots.

This all great news! WTG JANE!