I planted a new clematis from Gardeners World Live a couple of weeks ago and its been doing well, even flowered. The type is Mrs Thompson (purple with stripes). However, got up this morning and it looks like its dying :'( The only thing I can think of is that on Thursday night I was watering my tomatoes with feed and I had a small bit left in the watering can so gave it to the clematis (as its in a pot thought it might like the extra nutrients). The feed I use is from B&Q, their Organic Tomato food which contains nitrogen (4%), phosphorus pentoxide (2%), potassium oxide (6%). The feed is made in consultation with HDRA. I've diluted it according to instructions, in fact slightly less so due to size of our watering can. Could this be the cause of my clematis dying? Will the plant revive? HELP!!!! :o
I don't think your plant food will have hurt it :) Clematis can be temperamental so I shouldn't worry. Sometimes if they get clonked with the hoe etc they can wither but they usually bounce back but it might not be til next year. Don't give up on it though :)
Oh that does look almost like it's scorched, I;d be inclined to give it a mulch, make sute it gers enough water through the hot spell and keep everything crossed.
Clematis are funny things I've tried to establish Clematis florida sieboldiana three times in three different places and each time its died on me in a matter or months.
There was a clematis here when we moved in planted in the lawn, and growing up a rotten trellis. The trellis eventually fell to pieces and for the last three years the grass and clematis alike have been mown every 10 days or so March - October, so I thought it was well and truly dead. This year, about a month ago I removed part of the lawn to create yet another new bed, the clematis rose like Lazarus and is now almost 2' tall, some things you just can't kill!
Deeds - I've got white gravel on top of the pot as a mulch to keep water in etc. Is this what you mean or should I mulch it with something else?
I bet that pot is acting like a storage heater, put the plant deep into the ground, they do not like warm roots.
Heritage you are so right, the gravel on the top will also absorb lots of heat, I think it may be cooking.
Oh! I asked the man at the show if the clematis would be alright in the pot and he said no problem. We don't have a garden at home that we can use (rented flat) and as I love clematis, thought it would be nice to have one on the patio. Think I will have to move it down the plot to grow over the shed - oh well, at least will make lottie more colourful.
Thanks for the advice!
I have sucessfully grown a couple of clems in tubs but i always make sure they are in a shady spot.
Can you move it? As its most probable with this heat we have had this week, its been just a bit too much for it.
Dont worry though, as has already been said, all is not lost and it looks as though it will recover.
Thanks Honeybee! I can move the pot to a shady side of the patio where it will only get sun in the morning. Shall try this and see what happens. ;D
Deeds I'm so glad you said that. I've tried twice with that same clematis, I've got others flowering but twice I've bought that one and each time its gone on me...and I put it in different places so its not the soil..Those that are supposed to wilt ...the large flowered ones I've no trouble with.
I absolutely love clematis, one of my most favourite plants. Have grown a number in pots very successfully although as I'm in a flat now am down to just one on my balcony. It has been in a pot for at least 8 years. They do need big pots - pref. about 14" diameter and if possible shade on the roots particularly early in the day. My balcony is west facing and gets sun from about 1pm onwards and mine is thriving - although very neglected as my lottie comes first!
So wouldn't give up hope on yours unless roots have been completely dried out - and sounds as if they haven't. As others have said, they can be very robust. Good luck!!
Put clematis roots in the shade and their heads in the sun - I have clematis in pots in a South facing garden and they flower year after year.
The feed won't have killed them but their leaves do burn if they get wet on a sunny day. Water them at the base regularly as they don't like to dry out.
Mulch of gravel is OK but I often plant some small ground cover plants as a companion plant to shade the roots.
Don't worry. It looks and sounds like to me clematis wilt. When you plant clematis you need to say 6 inches deeper and not at soil level. The reason for this is that clematis are prone to wilting and if this does happen then it will regrow stronger from the base, and normally the regrowth is not prone to wilt. Also the other reason why you plant is deeper is that the roots like to have a cool moist (not wet) base. So planting is bye some paving is a good idea.
Thanks all. Sexy Snail, wondered if it was clematis wilt but it was OK for quite a few weeks after planting and even flowered, so not sure ???
Anyway, have moved pot to more shady position, have watered well, watched and waited and clematis is now completely dead :'( Hopefully, may perk up if it is wilt.....
I have 2 clematis growing in pots too piglottie - One is growing up an arch and is wonderful (Royalty is its name). The pot is in the sun but I have covered the top with shells from the beach. I also water it practically on a daily basis and it is doing fine. It started gowing "funny" on me last month when all the flowers went sort of brown ... ???
However Plocket told me to feed it and it seems to have recovered as it has put out lots of new buds.
I wish you well with yours ! Good luck. ;D ;)