why are the leaves turning black?????

urbancookie1

Hi,

Ive got a new clematis/passion flower climber that i potted earlier this year, its grown quite well and produced a dozen flowers or so.

It now seems to have come to a stand still cant see any new growth and the leaves are starting to turn black, whats happend to it and how can i perk it up a bit.

dragon47

The most devastating problem of clematis is a fungal stem rot and leaf spot caused by the fungus Ascochyta clematidina and commonly called "wilt." This is a disease on large-flowered hybrids. Small-flowered hybrids and the species and their cultivars are less susceptible to wilt. Symptoms include a sudden stem collapse typically as the flower buds are about to open, and within a few days, the stem and leaves turn black. Only one or perhaps several stems in a plant may wilt. The stem discolors and may exhibit lesions below the first pair of wilted leaves. Any part of the plant can be attacked down to and just below the soil level. The usual treatment is to remove the diseased stem below the wilted section, even below soil line. Plants usually recover from buds lower on the stem. Powdery mildew is another fungal disease that can occur on flowers and young stems, usually in July and August. It should be treated with a fungicide when first noticed as the fungus can disfigure leaves and flower buds, causing them not to open. Mildew often occurs on plants in poorly ventilated locations. If this is the case, consider moving the plant.

All diseased material should be destroyed with fire and any pruners used should be disinfected.

peter_the_piper

Just an addition, should you need to replace this clematis don't plant the new one near the old.
Plant the new one about half a pot deeper than the pot depth to put new shoots below the surface, keeps the roots cooler and makes it easier for a plant to recover from wilt.