clematis problems

[chasbo]

Something is eating the stems of various clematis in my garden. It/they are removing the outer (brownish/green) part of the stems, I've also noticed holes in the rear of the buds. Just checked again and have noticed two tiny snails crawling up the stems, could these be stripping the stems? If so, apart from slug pellets, how do I get rid?

[Lonnie]

Sounds like it might be Earwigs for the buds, if the stem thats stripped is near the ground, it could well be mice.

Thats what I think, but I could be wrong, i'm sure someone else will either agree or disagree with that, i'll be watching to see other diagnosis's.

[Plocket]

It's slugs and snails that eat the outer layer of the stems on clematis while snails and earwigs eat the flowers. If you don't want to use pellets there's organic garlic granules on the market which won't harm your plants or the wildlife. Alternatively you can put a good layer of gritty sand around the plants, or baked then crushed eggshells. If your plants are growing up walls or fences though you will never stop the molluscs unless you pick them off by hand (at night is best because that's when they are most active) and drown them in salt water.

The holes in the buds are most likely little snails, or earwigs which are more difficult to deal with - you can try putting half a grapefruit down on the ground (after you've eaten the flesh!) like a little tent, or put a plantpot upside down on a stick and filled with straw very close to the plant. Either way the earwigs should hide during the day so you can just remove the straw and/or grapefruit and dispose of it with the earwigs.

I hope this helps, and that your clematis are ok.

[chasbo]

It was definitely snails.Never seen so many as this year. I've put down pellets, and hand picked lots off the plants. The clematis are growing up walls/fences, so crushed eggs & grit won't help here. I've used this to stop the little blighters from eating my Hostas!!, but thats another story. Thanks for your imput.