Lush clematis will become a real decoration of the garden. It is known that these spectacular flowering vines grow well in the southern and middle latitudes of Russia. But, like all cultivated plants, clematis are susceptible to attack by pests and viruses.
The main diseases of clematis are
powdery mildew, wilt or wilt, fusarium, gray mold, alternariosis, rust and brown spotting. Infection occurs through damaged shoots and leaves. If the infection spreads throughout the plant, then the risk of withering part of the shoots or the whole plant is great.
How to recognize the disease and help the plant?
If you notice signs of clematis disease, then infected shoots need to be removed and burned. Partially affected areas are treated with chemicals. Clematis diseases can be recognized by the main characteristic signs:
- Withering (or wilt) is the most common dangerous disease of clematis. Bright flowers wither and fall within a few hours. The defeat begins with the apical young shoots. If you notice in time, you can save the plant by removing diseased shoots. It has been established that young clematis is sick more often than four or five year olds. The remaining vines should be sprayed with a solution of potassium permanganate or foundationazole.
- After winter shelter, gray molds can often be found on cuttings. This fluffy gray coating is the result of the vital activity of the fungus.
- Powdery mildew affects many crops planted in a summer cottage. White plaque is clearly visible on the juicy greens of clematis. Processing soda or ash solution helps to cope with this scourge.
- Fusarium - manifests itself in the form of pinkish spots on the stems and leaves of vines. This clematis disease affects annual plants, and blockage occurs. As a result, complete or partial death of vines is observed.
If you find clematis disease, then for the prevention should treat the entire area in spring and autumn. Effective treatment with a solution of foundationazole (20 g per 10 liters of water). They spray the soil around the plant and at the base of the shoots.
How to destroy pests that parasitize on clematis?
Clematis diseases are often associated with pest attacks. Plants can be affected by a nematode, aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, slugs, snails, various caterpillars, scale insects and fleas.
Pests such as slugs and snails are regularly collected. Or lay out the bait - cabbage leaves, halves of potatoes, a damp cloth, and then destroy. You need to do this throughout the summer. To combat the mealybug, "Karbofos" is used.
Getting rid of the nematode is much more difficult. For the treatment of plants, special chemicals (nematicides) are used. Some varieties, for example, Clematis "Multi Blue" forms a powerful root system in which the gall nematode likes to be . For the complete destruction of the nematode colony, complete removal of the roots with the infected soil is required.
It is noticed that if you plant marigolds, watercress, parsley or fragrant dill next to clematis, you can reduce the risk of infection with nematodes and many other parasites.