This beauty has been blooming since spring in Upstate (Syracuse) New York. Of late, it has developed powdery mildew that is covering the entire plant. Does anyone have any experience with either the plant itself or what I can do to prevent this. It is truly spectacular, and I've read it does have these tendencies. We have had a lot of rain and humidity this year, which I'm sure lends itself to this problem. Thanks.
Clematis Rogucchi
is the plant over crowded, (no breathing room?)
is there adequate sun exposure (partial shade should be ok)
do you water by sprinkler or flat on the ground at the base of the plant?
is there phlox, or other powdery mildew attracting plants nearby to rooguchi?
if you like where the plant is and the bloom quanitity and plant health indicate enough sun for long term vigor, then water from the ground at the base of the plant not a sprinkler, evaluate nearby plants and treat the area in question with a powdery mildew inhibitor next year before tit strikes.
i have had some texensis group clems get powdery m. eliminated that this year by treating for powdery m even though saw no signs and watering near the base and not sprinkling the area very often. a small garden of phlox that i have that always gets powdery stayed clean this year by these two changes, even tho it is quite overcrowded.
our wet spring and other conditions would have definitely brought forth powdery m if i had not made these changes.
Niobe what do you treat the powdery mildew with?
i use one of several marked brands for roses (fungicide)that are sold at local garden stores. i buy this premixed and squirt some dish soap into the premixed spray bottle.
in addition
for general bug maintenence ( not PM) i use very soapy water, or in extreme cases sevin with soap in a 3 gallon sprayer.
have also used phytosan mixed as to label with good results. phytosan must be ordered,a t least not available near me at any garden stores. it is also good for cleaning your nippers after use.
using any fungicide more important that what you use in my opinion to prevent PM. once you have it , not possible to eliminate it easily.
thanks for asking!
Thanks for youro help. I do water the leaves when watering all the plants around it.
It is in full sun and not crowded. I love your ideas of how to prevent this from the onset.
Using PM spray now does almost nothing. The new growth that it showing is fine. I wonder if I should use something to keep the new growth mildew free. This plant blooms all summer long without stopping. It is beautiful.
cut the tallest most powdery stems down now, spray the remaining stem completely including underside of leaves and stop watering from above. just water at the base of the plant. if it is full sun and not crowded you will have this cleared up if you get rid of the tallest pieces, which will grow back.
Thanks so much for the help. I'll keep posted on this beauty.
Well, I now have new growth on this plant and it is blooming again!!!!! It is amazing how it's bloomed from Spring with a very short break when it had mildew, treated it, and now blooming again. It is a gorgeous bloom and very floriferous. The new growth is heavy, too bad our Fall is coming and then 6 months of winter. Oh well, next year will be better.
Thanks for all your input.
Strell: Can you post some photos of this clematis? Would love to see it!
Would have loved to, but unfortunately when I went out to look with my camera the only two or three opened were past their beauty. Check the link to www.gardencrossings.com. They have it and show some great pics. If any more show up before the season end, I will do this. Another great one, mentioned by Jeanne from Texas is Tie Dye. Wow with red roses or just with any red clematis it's sooooo different.
Very, very showy. Clematis addiction is awful.
yes , clematis addiction is awful. thank goodness for the winter season in my zone, otherwise i am sure i would have been committed or worse years ago.
You are correct, Niobe, we have a long winter ahead in Syracuse. But I dream of what Clematis I can buy for next season. Always looking !!!!!! Right now Sweet Autumn is in bloom. I love that one as well.
the clems need rest...and so do we!