Since you all helped me with the question on peas, maybe you have an answer for this problem. For the last two years my clematis has climbed to the top of the trellis, started to bloom, and within two days was dead. I don't believe the roots had been damaged or eaten by anything. So far this year, it is half way up the trellis and I am afraid it may die again. Any ideas what might be happening? Thanks again for your help.
Are the vines of the clematis getting space? Sometimes, in certain cases, the vines choke each other out of existence (thta has happened to my grandma's clematis once or twice). If Not, it could be Clematis Wilt, where the shoots wilt (duh) and then die, and hang there from the trellis.
I don't know if there's anything you can do to prevent it. Just like the name says, the leaves wilt and then die. I planted one a couple years ago that did this and it never did come back.
If yours came back this year, it's a pretty good sign that it's going to survive whatever was ailing it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Bloom where you are planted.
tulips 4 buddy at yahoo dot com
Posts: 1695 | Location: Zone 4 Central South Dakota | Registered: June 20, 2002
I read in OG that Clematis roots should always be kept in the shade and allowed to be cool while the rest of the plant worships the sun. Lots of mulch if no shade is available, but shade and mulch are the best.
I've never had the wilt problem mentioned, but then, I've always planted my clematis in the shade and allowed it to grow up and out to the sun.
