Clematis diseases: description and signs of pests, causes and treatment, how to get rid of

Diseases and pests of clematis can negate all the work and efforts of flower growers. Fungi and viruses cause yellowing and falling of leaves, provoke dropping of buds and flowers. Timely preventive measures taken save clematis from microscopic enemies. To increase the resistance of the plant, they are regularly fed with organic matter and minerals. Insects are fought before and at the moment of their appearance on clematis.

Clematis diseases and their treatment

When growing clematis, all agrotechnical measures must be observed: fertilize the soil in a timely manner, loosen the soil, disinfect the soil, remove weeds, water the plants moderately.Even good care will not be able to protect this climbing shrub from disease. Rainy weather, drought, prolonged cold weather can trigger the development of fungal or viral diseases.

True, a he althy 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

Different kinds of microscopic fungi, parasitizing on the plant, lead to metabolic disorders, yellowing and drying of the leaves, falling buds and flowers, withering of the entire shrub. Modern fungicides and preparations with copper help to cope with a fungal infection. The disease often occurs on acidic soil, so in the spring the soil where clematis is planned to be planted must be limed.

Fusariosis

This disease is caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium.Pathogens live in the soil, infect the lower part of the stem. Mycelium develops from spores of the fungus, clogging the conductive vessels. Because of this, metabolism is disturbed, the plant does not receive nutrients, and even fertilization or timely watering does not help to avoid wilting.

In the spring, as a preventive measure, the plant and the ground around it must be treated with solutions of copper or iron sulfate, fungicides (Fundazol, Topaz, Ridomil Gold). Treatment is with Trichodermin or Polycarbacin.

Wilt or Verticillium wilt

The causative agent of this fungal disease is the fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. It lives in the soil, parasitizes on the lower part of the shoot. The stem at the base darkens, the plant itself, due to the vital activity of the fungus, does not receive nutrients and fades. At the same time, there are no signs of a fungal disease on the clematis itself.The disease progresses slowly.

Preventive treatments with fungicides Fundazol, Topaz, Skor, Bordeaux mixture help to reduce the likelihood of wilt. For treatment, drugs Trichodermin or Polycarbacin are used.

Phomopsis wilt

The disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Phomopsis. The disease is dangerous for large-flowered varieties, can lead to the death of the shrub. Small-flowered varieties may bloom despite the presence of the fungus. The first signs of damage can be seen in early summer. Brown spots appear on the lower leaves, which spread throughout the leaf plate. The fungus may appear on the stems of clematis or along the edges of the opened petals.

Affected shoots and leaves become brownish, wither and wither. The main thing is to identify the infection in time and remove the diseased parts of the plant.

Clematis needs to be treated with Previkur fungicide.

Rust

A 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 vital activity of fungi leads to the fact that the leaves curl and dry out. Infected parts of clematis must be plucked and burned. Fungicides (Topaz, Gamair, Hom) or Bordeaux liquid are used to save from rust.

Grey Rot

Fungal disease caused by the pathogen Botrytis cinerea Pers. The infection spreads in rainy and cool weather. The fungus overwinters on weeds left on 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 coating. Diseased parts of the plant must be carefully plucked. To prevent the disease, the foliage is sprayed with a suspension of copper oxychloride or fungicides (Gamair, Fundazol, Azocen).In spring, the earth is watered with a solution of copper sulfate.

Powdery mildew

A fungal disease in which leaves and flowers are covered with a white powdery coating. Then brown 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 Baktofit, Topaz, Fitosporin. As a preventive measure in the spring, the earth should be watered with a solution of copper sulphate.

Ascochitosis

This leaf spot disease 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 should be plucked and burned. As a preventive measure, the bush is sprayed with a solution of copper or iron sulfate. For treatment, Bordeaux liquid or a suspension of copper oxychloride is used.

Alternariosis

A disease caused by fungi of the genus Alternaria. The optimal conditions for infection are hot weather, short-term night precipitation. The leaf affected by the fungus is covered with numerous brownish spots, dense to the touch. The infection can penetrate into wounds and damaged parts of the plant. Sick clematis should be treated with Bordeaux liquid, fungicides (Kuproksat, Abiga-Peak, Ridomil MC). Affected parts of the plant must be plucked and destroyed.

Septoria

A disease caused by the fungus Septoria. Fungus spores live on plant debris. Affected leaves are covered with brown-gray spots of irregular shape. The diseased parts of the plant dry out, the stems shrivel and turn brown. As a preventive measure, the soil is watered with a solution of Trichodermin, Gliocladin, Rovral. The treatment of diseased plants is carried out with the help of Fundazol, copper sulfate, preparations Skor, Hom, Ridomil Gold, Previkur.

Cylindrosporiosis

Fungal infection affects all above-ground 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. The buds of diseased clematis darken and fall off without opening. The disease is activated in rainy and cool weather. Fungicides (Khom, Gamair) and Bordeaux mixture are used to fight the infection.

Viral

Clematis are rarely affected by viruses. Insects (aphids, caterpillars, mites) are dangerous, they are carriers of dangerous infections. Can infect clematis with yellow mosaic. Diseases caused by viruses lead to the gradual withering of the plant. First, the leaves are affected: light spots appear, the leaf plates turn yellow, dry, curl, die. Flowers lose their characteristic color.

All affected parts of the plant must be picked and burned. As a preventive measure, plants are treated with insecticides. To improve immunity, shrubs are fed with complex fertilizers.

Flower pests and their control

Clematis and its roots contain poisonous substances, so this plant is not very attractive to insects. However, there are quite a few pests that attack the bush.

Nematodes

The main insect pest of clematis is the gall nematode. It is a microscopic worm that lives in the soil. It penetrates into the roots and forms thickenings (galls) there. The plant does not absorb nutrients well, slows down growth, the leaves become small, the stem becomes brittle, the buds fade and deform. Some types of nematodes feed on clematis leaves. The leaf plate shrivels, turns brown, dries up.These insects can be de alt with with the help of chemicals (BI-58, ROGOR, Dimethoat). Mulching the soil with mint and wormwood helps get rid of nematodes.

Aphid

Tiny soft-bodied insects that settle in colonies on the underside of leaves. They feed on plant sap. The vital activity of these insects leads to yellowing, drying out, twisting of the leaves. From aphids, spraying with soapy water or Fitoverm, Aktara, Aktellik preparations helps.

Spider mite

Small yellow or reddish insect that spins a web on the underside 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, Antikleshch, Akarin saves 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 that hatch into caterpillars. They eat leaves, flowers and stems of clematis. Insecticides are used to control caterpillars: Bitoxibacillin, Iskra-M, Inta-Vir.

Real small moth

A butterfly with light greenish wings, from whose eggs light green caterpillars hatch. Insects feed on clematis leaves. The caterpillars are harvested from the plant and destroyed. For prevention, foliage is sprayed with a solution of Karbofos, Nitrafen, Bitoxibacillin.

Mealybug

Small, white, furry 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

Elongated 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 leaves, stones, snags. Pests become more active in wet weather. From slugs and snails, a granular drug Ferramol is used, it is scattered over the soil surface. Clematis foliage is sprayed with a solution of ammonia.

Traps are made with Metaldehyde. Insects are collected by hand. The ground near the shrub is mulched with crushed shell rock, fine gravel.

Bug

Small brownish or orange-black insects that feed on plant sap. Dark spots appear on the leaves, then they turn yellow and dry. Foliage spraying with Aktara is saved from bedbugs.

Shields

A small insect whose body is covered with a brownish wax shield. The scale insect feeds on the sap of the plant, 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 clematis roots, 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 shoots of clematis. Traps and scarers are set against them, poisoned baits are scattered. Near clematis, you can plant imperial hazel grouse, medicinal black root, sowing coriander, and common tansy. Rodents do not tolerate the smell of these plants and leave the site. Rodenticides (Storm), Vishnevsky's ointment help against rodents.

Why do clematis dry lower leaves

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 a Bordeaux mixture.Clematis leaves can dry out due to a lack of nutrients in the soil. The plant needs to be fed with organic matter, nitrogen or complex fertilizers.

Clematis turns black and dries up

Clematis leaves may 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 sulphate. Foliage must be treated with fungicides (Fundazol, Topaz, Gamair, Previkur).

Prevention measures

Clematis will get sick less often if you constantly take care of 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 applied to the soil.

In early spring, the ground can be watered with Bordeaux mixture, lime or a solution of copper sulphate. In order to prevent foliage, 2-3 times per season are sprayed with fungicide solutions (Trichodermin, Gliocladin, Topaz, Fitosporin-M, Hom, Gamair, Fundazol).