Symptoms and treatment of clematis diseases, causes and how to get rid
Diseases and pests of clematis can nullify all the works and efforts of flower growers. Fungi and viruses cause yellowing and fall of leaves, provoke shedding of buds and flowers. Timely taken preventive measures save clematis from microscopic enemies. To increase the resistance, the plants are regularly fed with organic matter and minerals. They fight insects before and at the time of their appearance on clematis.
Diseases of clematis and their treatment
When growing clematis, it is necessary to observe all agrotechnical measures: fertilize the soil in a timely manner, loosen the soil, decontaminate the soil, remove weeds, and water the plants moderately. Even good care will not be able to protect this climbing shrub from disease. Rainy weather, drought, prolonged cold snap can provoke the development of fungal or viral diseases.
True, a healthy plant growing on fertile soil is easier to resist viruses and fungi, it has higher immunity. Preventive measures will help to avoid many diseases.
Fungal
Various kinds of microscopic fungi, parasitizing on the plant, lead to metabolic disorders, yellowing and drying of leaves, dropping of buds and flowers, withering of the entire shrub. Modern fungicides and preparations with copper help to cope with fungal infection. The disease often occurs on acidic soil, so in the spring the soil where clematis is planned to be planted needs to be limed.
Fusarium
This disease is caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium. Pathogens live in the soil, infect the lower part of the stem. From the spores of the fungus, mycelium develops, which clogs the conducting vessels. Because of this, metabolism is disturbed, the plant does not receive nutrients, and even the introduction of fertilizers or timely watering does not help to avoid wilting.
In the spring, as a preventive measure, the plant and the land around it must be treated with solutions of copper or iron sulfate, fungicides (Fundazol, Topaz, Ridomil Gold). Treatment is carried out with Trichodermin or Polycarbacin.
Wilt or verticillary wilting
The causative agent of this fungal disease is the fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. He lives in the soil, parasitizes on the lower part of the shoot. The stem darkens at the base, the plant itself, due to the vital activity of the fungus, does not receive nutrients and withers. Moreover, on the clematis itself, there are no signs of a fungal disease.The disease progresses slowly.
Preventive treatments with fungicides Fundazol, Topaz, Skor, Bordeaux mixture help to reduce the likelihood of wilt. For treatment, drugs are used Trichodermin or Polycarbacin.
Phomopsis wilt
The disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Phomopsis. The disease is dangerous for large-flowered varieties, it can lead to the death of a shrub. Small-flowered varieties can bloom despite the presence of a fungus. The first signs of damage can be seen in early summer. Brown spots appear on the lower leaves, which spread throughout the leaf blade. The fungus can appear on clematis stems or along the edges of the opened petals.
Affected shoots and leaves turn brownish, dry out and wither. The main thing is to identify the infection in time and remove the diseased parts of the plant.
Clematis must be treated with Previcur fungicide.
Rust
Fungal infection caused by the fungus Aecidium clematidis DC. Bright orange, loose spots appear on the leaves and stems, they grow, merge with each other. The parasitic activity of fungi leads to the fact that the leaves curl and dry out. Infected parts of clematis must be ripped off and burned. To save from rust, fungicides (Topaz, Gamair, Hom) or Bordeaux liquid are used.
Gray rot
Fungal disease caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers. The infection spreads in rainy and cool weather. The fungus hibernates on the weeds left in the field. Thickened plantings or an abundance of nitrogen in the soil can provoke the disease. Brownish spots appear on the leaves of clematis, then they are covered with a gray fluffy bloom. The diseased parts of the plant must be carefully plucked. To prevent the disease, foliage is sprayed with a suspension of copper oxychloride or fungicides (Gamair, Fundazol, Azocene). In the spring, the earth is watered with a solution of copper sulfate.
Powdery mildew
Fungal disease in which leaves and flowers become covered with a white powdery coating. Then brownish spots appear. Leaves and flowers dry up and wither. Before treating clematis, you need to pluck all parts of the plant affected by the fungus. A diseased shrub can be treated with fungicides Bactofit, Topaz, Fitosporin. As a preventive measure, in the spring, the ground should be watered with a solution of copper sulfate.
Ascochitosis
This disease causing leaf spot is caused by fungi of the genus Ascochyta. Pycnidia are visible in the center of the brown spots. Subsequently, due to necrosis, the tissue falls out, and holes appear on the leaves. Sick leaves need to be torn off and burned. As a preventive measure, the shrub is sprayed with a solution of copper or iron sulfate. For treatment, Bordeaux liquid or a suspension of copper oxychloride is used.
Alternaria
A disease caused by fungi from the genus Alternaria. Optimal conditions for infection are hot weather, short-term nighttime rainfall. The leaf affected by the fungus is covered with numerous brownish spots, dense to the touch. The infection can invade wounds and damaged parts of the plant. Sick clematis need to be treated with Bordeaux liquid, fungicides (Cuproxat, Abiga-Peak, Ridomil MC). The affected parts of the plant must be plucked and destroyed.
Septoriasis
A disease caused by the fungus Septoria. The spores of the fungus live on plant debris. The affected leaves are covered with brown-gray spots of irregular shape. The diseased parts of the plant dry out, the stems wrinkle and turn brown. As a preventive measure, the soil is watered with a solution of Trichodermin, Glyokladin, Rovral. Treatment of diseased plants is carried out with the help of Fundazol, copper sulfate, Skor, Hom, Ridomil Gold, Previkur preparations.
Cylindrosporiasis
A fungal infection affects all aerial parts of the plant.Light green spots appear on the leaf plates, subsequently they increase, become brownish. Later, these spots crack, the leaf is deformed, dies off. The buds of the diseased clematis darken and fall off without opening. The disease intensifies in rainy and cool weather. Fungicides (Hom, Gamair) and Bordeaux mixture are used to fight infection.
Viral
Clematis are rarely affected by viruses. The danger is posed by insects (aphids, caterpillars, ticks), they are carriers of dangerous infections. They can infect clematis with yellow mosaic. Diseases caused by viruses lead to a gradual wilting of the plant. Initially, the leaves are affected: light spots appear, the leaf plates turn yellow, dry, curl, die off. Flowers lose their characteristic color.
All affected parts of the plant must be plucked and burned. As a preventive measure, plants are treated with insecticides. To improve immunity, shrubs are fed with complex fertilizers.
Flower pests and fight against them
Clematis and its roots contain poisonous substances, so this plant is not very attractive to insects. However, there are many pests that attack the shrub.
Nematodes
The main insect pest of clematis is the rootworm nematode. It is a microscopic worm that lives in the soil. It penetrates into the roots and forms thickenings (galls) there. The plant absorbs nutrients poorly, slows down growth, the leaves become small, the stem is brittle, the buds fade and become deformed. Some nematode species feed on clematis leaves. The leaf plate wrinkles, turns brown, dries up. These insects can be dealt with using chemicals (BI-58, ROGOR, Dimethoat). Mulching the soil with mint and wormwood helps to get rid of nematodes.
Aphid
Tiny soft-bodied insects that colonize the back of the leaves. They feed on plant sap. The vital activity of these insects leads to yellowing, drying out, and curling of leaves. Spraying with soapy water or Fitoverm, Aktara, Aktellik helps from aphids.
Spider mite
A small yellow or reddish insect that weaves a web on the back of a leaf. It feeds on plant sap, spreads viral diseases. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to periodically spray the shrub with cold water. Actellik, Anti-tick, Akarin save from the presence of a spider mite. For prevention, clematis is sprayed with garlic infusion.
Fenestrated moth
Small reddish butterflies with dark spots on their wings. They fly mainly at night. They lay eggs from which caterpillars emerge. They eat the leaves, flowers and stems of clematis. To combat caterpillars, insecticides are used: Bitoxibacillin, Iskra-M, Inta-Vir.
Small moth
A butterfly with light greenish wings, from whose eggs light green caterpillars hatch. Insects feed on clematis leaves. Caterpillars are harvested from the plant and destroyed. For prophylaxis, foliage is sprayed with a solution of Karbofos, Nitrafen, Bitoxibacillin.
Mealybug
A small, white, hairy insect that feeds on plant sap. For prevention, the foliage is sprayed with a solution of Karbofos, garlic infusion, a mixture of water and olive oil.
Slugs and snails
Oblong light brown slugs and snails eat the leaves and stems of clematis at night. During the day, these insects hide from the sun under fallen dry foliage, stones, snags. Pests become active in wet weather. For slugs and snails, a granular preparation Ferramol is used, it is scattered over the soil surface. Clematis foliage is sprayed with a solution of ammonia.
Traps are made with the drug Metaldehyde. The insects are collected by hand.The land near the bush is mulched with crushed shell rock, fine gravel.
Bedbugs
Small brownish or orange-black insects that feed on plant sap. Dark spots appear on the leaves, then they turn yellow and dry out. Spraying the foliage with Aktara is saved from bedbugs.
Shields
A small insect whose body is covered with a brownish wax shield. The scale insect feeds on plant sap, which causes the leaves to dry out and fall off. You can save clematis from an insect by spraying with insecticides (Aktara, Karbofos).
Medvedki
Large brown insects that live in the soil and dig holes in it. They feed on the roots of clematis, planted young seedlings. The soil in which the bears live should be watered with soapy water or an insecticide (Metarizin, Boverin, Anti-Medvedka).
Mice, rats
Rodents can damage the root system and clematis shoots. Traps and scarers are placed against them, poisoned baits are scattered. Near clematis, you can plant imperial hazel grouse, black root medicinal, coriander, common tansy. Rodents do not tolerate the smell of these plants and leave the site. Rodenticides (Storm drug), Vishnevsky's ointment help from rodents.
Why do the lower leaves of clematis dry
Yellowing and drying of the lower leaves of clematis can be caused by a fungal infection. To prevent the spread of the fungus, the shrub is treated in the spring with a fungicide solution (Trichodermin, Fundazol, Fitosporin-M), the ground is watered with Bordeaux mixture. Clematis leaves can dry out due to lack of nutrients in the soil. The plant must be fed with organic matter, nitrogen or complex fertilizers.
Clematis turns black and dries up
Clematis leaves can turn black and dry due to wilting caused by a fungal infection. To prevent the disease in spring, the soil should be watered with milk of lime, a solution of copper or iron sulfate. The foliage must be treated with fungicidal agents (Fundazol, Topaz, Gamair, Previkur).
Preventive actions
Clematis will get sick less often if you constantly look after the site: remove weeds, prevent waterlogging of the soil. It is not recommended to overfeed the shrub with nitrogen fertilizers. Substances containing ammonia (ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate) can be added to the soil.
In early spring, the soil can be watered with Bordeaux mixture, lime or copper sulfate solution. In order to prevent the foliage 2-3 times per season, they are sprayed with solutions of fungicides (Trichodermin, Glyokladin, Topaz, Fitosporin-M, Hom, Gamair, Fundazol).
