Content
Clematis are very beautiful and responsive perennial flowering vines. They are planted to please the eye for many years, so it is a shame when plants suffer from diseases and pests and may even die if urgent measures are not taken in time. From the article you can learn about the symptoms of clematis damage by various pests and diseases, with photos that will help you recognize this or that problem in time. It will also talk about prevention and how to deal with a particular problem.
Problem prevention
Most often, pathogens and pests attack weakened plants, so it is very important to choose the right varieties of clematis for your region and to carry out competent agrotechnical care for them.
Control over the health of clematis should begin from the moment the planting material is purchased. If possible, it is necessary to carefully examine the roots of clematis so that there are no thickenings on them, which may subsequently turn out to be such dangerous pests as root nematodes.
The leaves should not have spots, holes and other mechanical damage, indicating possible diseases.
For the prevention of numerous fungal diseases (fusarium, gray rot, verticillosis), it is advisable to soak the root system of clematis for half an hour in a solution of the Maxim fungicide before planting in a permanent place. To obtain a working solution, 4 ml of the drug (1 standard ampoule) is diluted in two liters of water.
In the future, weakened clematis plants, in addition to dressings, it is advisable to process several times per season with immunostimulating drugs, such as Immunocytophyte.
And, of course, the main preventive measure against diseases and pests is strict adherence to all agronomic requirements when planting clematis and further caring for it.
Pests and ways to deal with them
Clematis has many enemies not only from the insect world, but also among worms and even mammals. All of them are capable of not only damaging or completely destroying the green parts of plants and their roots, but also carrying dangerous diseases and viruses.
Aphid
The most common pest in the garden, with which, probably, every gardener and gardener is familiar. Several thousand species of aphids are known in nature, but in our gardens the most common aphids are black, green and brown. Adult insects and their eggs are very small in size - about 2.5 mm in length. In autumn, they usually lay eggs on clematis, and with the arrival of spring heat, they begin active life, sucking juice from young shoots and causing them to dry out and die. The peak of their vital activity usually occurs at the very beginning of summer. Feeding on the green sap of clematis, the pests secrete a sticky sweetish liquid, which can also be used to determine the invasion of aphids on plants.
With the onset of growth, the very tops of young clematis leaves and their back should be regularly inspected for the accumulation of these pests.In the spring, pests cannot move on their own - ants contribute to their movement. And closer to summer, when their number increases unreasonably, in order to feed themselves, newly born individuals have wings and they acquire the ability to move to neighboring plants.
Hence the conclusion - the sooner you track the appearance of aphids on clematis and destroy it, the easier it will be for you later.
To combat this pest, you can use a variety of methods:
- Mechanical - their destruction by hand or washing off with a stream of water in case of small amounts of pests.
- Biological- many insects (ladybugs, lacewings, wasps), as well as birds (sparrows, titmice, korolek, linnet) eat aphids with pleasure. And you can also plant some plants, the smell of which repels the pest: onions, garlic, feverfew.
- Folk - the simplest and most effective remedy for this pest is a solution of liquid soap and sunflower oil in water (for 2 glasses of water, 2 teaspoons of soap and 1 tablespoon of oil). For spraying from aphids, infusions of garlic, tomato leaves, onion husks, horseradish, wormwood, and hot pepper are also used.
- Chemical - easily destroys aphids by spraying with any of the modern insecticides. It is safer to use fitoverm - since it is made on a biological basis. (2 ml per 0.25 l of water).
Spider mite
Clematis can suffer from three varieties of spider mites, and only one of them forms cobwebs on leaves and shoots. In the initial period of infection, the leaves of clematis are covered with barely noticeable specks of yellow color, especially on the lower side, then the affected areas of the leaves become discolored and dry out. The pests themselves are so microscopic that it is impossible to see them with the naked eye.
Hot and dry weather favors the invasion of spider mites, therefore, it appears on clematis, as a rule, in the middle of summer. It is already much more difficult to deal with this pest than with aphids. Usually, only systemic insecticides (acaricides) are effective, the treatment with which must be repeated 3-4 times per season. Of the mild biological, but less effective means, Fitoverm, Vertimek, Bitoxibacillin can be advised. If they did not help, then it is necessary to apply Akarin, Actellik, Anti-tick.
As a preventive measure, the following folk remedy helps well: when dry and hot weather sets in, clematis can be sprayed with an infusion of garlic (200 g per 10 liters of water).
Nematodes
Nematodes are roundworms, and they can parasitize on the roots, shoots and leaves of clematis.
Gall nematode is especially dangerous for clematis, which parasitizes on the roots, where thickenings of different sizes are formed - galls. As a result of their strong infection, young clematis may lag behind in development, the leaves become discolored, lose turgor, and the plants may even die. In adult plants, decorativeness is significantly reduced (leaves, flowers become smaller, plants do not grow to the required height).
But clematis can also infect other types of nematodes - strawberry and chrysanthemum, which damage leaves, stems and flowers.
These pests are especially common in the southern regions. To this day, no effective way of dealing with nematodes has been identified. It is only necessary to carefully examine the planting material and all plants that are suspected, or throw it away, or try to treat the roots with hot water at a temperature of + 50 ° C.
Adult plants are only partially oppressed by nematodes and can even bloom normally provided additional regular feeding.
In the place where clematis infected with nematodes were dug, it is impossible to plant clematis again within 3-4 years.
Planting plants such as calendula, marigolds, dill, coriander, watercress and mustard cleanse the soil well from nematodes.
Chopped wormwood and mint can be used as mulch - these herbs repel nematodes.
Fenestrated moth
The caterpillars of this small triangular butterfly are capable of causing significant damage to the leaves and flowers of clematis in mid-summer. In this case, the tips of the leaves roll up into a tube. Caterpillars are yellow-brown, small with warts all over the body.
The fight against this pest consists in spraying clematis with any insecticide, for example, Fitoverm, Vertimek, Aktellik and others.
Small moth
A butterfly from the family of moths with bluish-green wings begins to fly in June and feeds, including on clematis plantings, throughout the summer. Light green caterpillars with a dark back become especially active in the middle of summer. Green pupae can be found between the leaves.
To minimize the harm caused by these pests, it is enough to collect them by hand and destroy them at the beginning of summer. Of the biological effective preparations for protecting clematis from leaf-eating pests, Agrovertin or Bitoxibacillin can be recommended.
Mealybug
This pest loves heat, so it is much more common in greenhouses, greenhouses and gardens in the southern regions. In clematis, it often damages the base of the shoots, as well as the leaves and the shoots themselves. The body of the worm is covered with white waxy secretions, so it is not difficult to distinguish it.
The most effective drug against mealybugs is Aktara. It is a systemic insecticide that can be used to simply spill a clematis bush and the ground around it (dilute 1 to 5 g of powder in 10 liters of water). Repeat the treatment after 1-2 weeks. As a result, the plant sap will become poisonous to pests, they will not be able to feed and will die.
With small accumulations of this pest, it is enough to wash the bases of the clematis stems and other places of its concentration with soapy water.
Slugs and snails
Several species of snails and slugs begin their destructive activity of eating clematis shoots, starting in spring, when the weather is warm.
If these pests manage to damage the buds in the center of tillering, then the development of the entire bush may stop. In addition, through wounds, the plant can easily become infected with various fungal infections.
Pests lurk under wide leaves weeds, therefore, it is advisable to keep the ground under the clematis always cleaned.
To combat snails and slugs, sprinkling with wood ash, lime, superphosphate is often used, but these funds are not very effective.
It is safer to scatter Metaldehyde granules (30-40 g per square meter) over the soil surface.
Bedbugs
The green garden bug begins its activity in May and ends around August. It is well distinguishable by the eye, reaching a length of 3-4 mm. It can usually be found on the underside of young leaves. As a result of its activity, spots appear on the leaves and they dry out. At the ends of clematis shoots, the female pest lays eggs, as a result, the shoots stop growing and stop blooming.
You can save clematis by double treatment with any insecticide.
Shields
These pests, as well as the mealybug, most often live in the southern regions and in greenhouses. Scabbards are small insects covered with a kind of shell, usually motionlessly adhered to the leaves and stems of clematis.
With large accumulations of scale insects, a sweetish liquid is emitted, which is best removed along with the pests themselves using a 30-40% alcohol solution or 4% potassium soap solution.
For the final destruction of pests, it is advisable to spill clematis with Aktara's solution, diluted in the same proportions as for combating mealybugs.
Medvedki
These insect pests dig long tunnels and burrows underground while damaging the root system of plants. The activity of the bear can be especially dangerous for newly planted young clematis.
One of the effective ways to combat this pest is to pour a water-soap-oily solution into its holes (for 10 liters of water, 15-20 g of any soap and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil). As a result, the bear suffocates and either dies underground, or goes outside, where it is destroyed.
In garden stores, many chemicals are currently sold against the bear, they can also be used to protect clematis. And you can use an environmentally friendly agent - Metarizin, which is based on the spores of the fungus that causes the death of the bear.
Mice, rats
Rodents are capable of causing significant harm to clematis plantings, especially in winter.
To protect clematis from mice and rats for the winter, poisoned baits are laid out under shelters. For rats, it is better to use sachets, and for mice, poisoned grain placed in a section of a horizontal drainage pipe.
Fungal diseases, prevention and treatment
Among the diseases, wilting, which can be caused by three types of fungi: Verticillium, Fusarium and Phomopsis, is the most dangerous for clematis.
Wilt or verticillary wilting
Most often, the term wilt itself is associated with verticillary wilting, but in the case of clematis, it often means any wilting of clematis lashes caused by one of the above fungi. Shoots lose their turgor, wither, turn black and dry out. This process can last from several hours to several weeks.
A hundred years ago, these diseases were so unknown and therefore terrible that the very existence of clematis was at one time under threat, thanks to the invasion of fungi-pathogens. Later it turned out that they are especially activated in a humid and cool environment, therefore, refinements were made to the agricultural technology for growing clematis. At the moment, quite effective fungicides have also been invented, for example, Previkur, the use of which will help protect clematis from these diseases.
A particular danger of infection is posed by the early spring period, when the humidity is very high everywhere. It is recommended to shed the bushes to protect clematis in the spring Previkura solution (25 ml per 10 liters of water).
Phomopsis wilt
Signs of clematis lesions with this disease appear in May-June on individual leaves growing at the very surface of the earth - rounded yellowish-brown specks that quickly grow over the entire surface of the leaf. As a result, the leaves darken and dry out.
To protect clematis from this disease, it is urgent to tear off all damaged leaves, and spill the bushes with Previkur's solution.
Fusarium
Signs of fusarium disease usually appear later, in June – July. Weakened and old shoots are the first to suffer. Clematis infection usually occurs in the lower part of the shoot, and the entire shoot from the top begins to dry out at once. Cutting the stems and leaves into healthy tissue and treating with Previcur will usually help save the rest of the plant.
Rust
As a result of the activity of the fungus Aecidium clematidis DC in the spring, on the shoots and leaves of clematis, one can sometimes observe small orange swelling-spots in the form of pads, consisting of a powder mass. These are spores of a fungus, a causative agent of rust, a disease that can cause leaf death and deformation of shoots.
In order to prevent, they destroy all the weeds around, and especially wheatgrass, on which the causative agent of this disease hibernates, as well as clematis shoots affected by the fungus. The bushes are treated with 1-2% Bordeaux liquid or other copper-containing preparation.
Gray rot
This disease most often manifests itself in cool and rainy summers. Stagnant air and overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizers contribute to the spread of the disease. It manifests itself as a gray fluffy bloom on leaves, shoots, clematis flowers. Fungal spores can be carried by the wind and remain on plant debris.
You can try to fight this clematis disease by spraying and spilling the bushes with a biofungicide - Fitosporin. If it does not help, then treat clematis with Previkur.
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is especially widespread on clematis in the southern regions, and the peak of its harmfulness occurs in the hottest and sunniest months - July, August. The disease manifests itself in the form of a fluffy white coating on leaves, shoots, flowers and even seeds. The damaged places are deformed, the development and flowering of clematis stops.
To combat the disease, treatment with any fungicide is used. From folk remedies, the following are considered effective: a solution of mustard powder (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water), a solution of soda ash (40 g per 10 liters of water), a mixture of ethyl alcohol and salicylic acid.
Ascochitosis
A separate group of diseases is made up of fungi, the defeat of which causes spots of various shapes and colors on the leaves of clematis. If these diseases are left untreated, then clematis will begin to develop worse, bloom and leave very weakened before winter. Most of these clematis diseases are quite easy to cope with with the help of a two-time treatment with any copper-containing preparation. If you do not feel like using chemistry, try using Fitosporin or Alirin-B in combination with Gamair (1 tablet of each drug per 1 liter of water).
Ascochitis causes dark brown spots, the development of the disease leads to the appearance of holes in places of damaged tissues.
Alternaria
As a result of this disease, brown spots also appear, which quickly turn black and everything ends with leaf necrosis.
Septoria
This disease often manifests itself in the form of gray spots with a red border.
Cylindrosporiasis
The result of this disease is usually spots on the leaves of clematis of an ocher, yellowish tint.
All damaged leaves must be removed from the plants and destroyed before processing.
Viral diseases and the fight against them
Viral diseases, fortunately, rarely visit clematis, but nevertheless they sometimes drop in for a visit.
Yellow mosaic
Several cases of yellow mosaic damage to clematis have been established. Viruses are spread by pests - aphids, ticks, worms, so it is necessary to fight, first of all, with them. And with the viruses themselves, no effective ways have yet been found.
It is a pity that diseased plants will have to be destroyed, and all instruments must be thoroughly disinfected.
Physiological damage
Clematis also have problems that are not related to diseases or pests, but rather dependent on improper growth and care conditions.
Colorless flowers
Often as a result of a lack of heat or lighting, as well as improperly selected fertilizers, the sepals of clematis are colored only partially or completely remain colorless. Try to check if you are doing everything right in caring for your pets and, most likely, the flowers will soon delight you with their usual color.
Reddened stems
As a result of extreme heat and drought, clematis shoots can turn red. In this case, they need to create shading and water more intensively.
Conclusion
Of course, among pests and pathogens, there are many who want to feast on clematis and its parts.But it should be remembered that a strong plant with a good immune system is able to protect itself, not forgetting to periodically inspect the plants in order to notice bad symptoms in time and have time to take action.
