Why is my clematis sticky? [The Cause May Surprise You] –ISBUZZLE

Plant leaves aren’t normally sticky, so if you’ve landed here wondering why your clematis leaves have gotten sticky, then you’ve come to the right place.

Basically, the cause of sticky leaves on a clematis plant is pests, specifically insects that secrete honeydew onto the leaves after feeding on the sap.

Types of parasites that cause it

There may be many types of pests to eliminate your clematis, but in the case of sticky leaves, there are a few specific pests to watch out for.

scale errors

Scales are fairly small pests that are usually black or buff and average 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch long.

These insects are usually found on the stems and branches of Clematis, but can also be found on the undersides of the leaves.

So it’s hard to tell if you have any, because most people probably don’t check the undersides of their plants’ leaves very often.

Sometimes they can even be mistaken for part of the plant, especially if they are on the stems.

In general, these shield bugs feed on the sap of the plant and cause all kinds of problems, such as droopy or curled leaves, yellowing, holes in the leaves, etc.

They can also be an armored type, as there are usually softshell scales and armored scales which can be a little more difficult to handle.

aphids

Aphids are also sap-feeding pests and leave honeydew in response, which can make leaves sticky in some areas.

These insects are also quite small, usually about half the size of scales (1/16 to 1/8 inch long).

They can vary in color from red to green and even pale or colorless.

In some variants, they may also have wings.

You generally don’t want them because not only will they continue to cause sticky honeydew leaves, but they can also destroy your clematis, especially if they form in large numbers.

red spider

These pests are not only microscopic (1/50th of an inch in size), but can also leave honeydew after eating leaves.

Mites are known to congregate in large numbers and are even seen as tiny white dots moving across leaves.

Pretty scary, right?

For pests so small we can barely see them, they can definitely do all sorts of damage to your clematis if not treated like the others.

With spider mites, the telltale sign you have them is if you also notice a web-like material on the undersides of the leaves or on the stems.

mealybugs

Mealybugs are another pest that feeds on sap and can leave behind that sticky honeydew substance responsible for the odd leaf texture.

These insects are also quite small (1/8 inch) and don’t really look like insects, but more like little ovals that move around.

They are usually pinkish or yellowish and are known for their fluffy white filament as a telltale sign that they are, in fact, scale insects.

These critters can not only attach themselves to the leaves or stems of a clematis, but they can also get into the soil of the plant and cause even more trouble that it doesn’t need.

How to get rid of this pest

Depending on how quickly you spot one of these pests, you may be able to get away with just a little water and a small amount of pressure to spray them away.

If you find this doesn’t work, you can dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and remove these parasites by hand by rubbing the suspicious areas until you see no signs of the parasites anymore.

If you just want to use general plant spray solutions, you can try insecticidal soaps that you can buy or make at home.

To make insecticidal soap, you can combine the following items.

• 2 tablespoons pure liquid soap
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Both diluted in 1 gallon of water
• Add this solution to a spray bottle.
• spray weekly until no pests remain

Finally, you can try an organic pest control product known as neem oil.

This will not only do a great job of getting rid of pests, but it will also work as a pest repellent.

You can also use it as a fungicide.

You can even combine it with insecticidal soap for maximum effect.

Be sure to shade your clematis until it is dry.

If you are looking for good quality neem oil, you can find it here.

How to remove molasses

So now that you know what to do about the cling-causing parasites, you really need to get rid of the honeydew to make it go away.

This part can be tricky (just kidding).

Take a clean cloth, pour some water on it and wipe the leaves.

That’s all there really is!

Keep in mind that you really want to clean the honeydew because if you don’t it will eventually turn into sooty mold which can affect the appearance of your clematis.

Other signs that you have parasites

Although sticky leaves can be a telltale sign that you have parasites, there are other signs that you may not be aware of.

Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for so you can quickly identify future pests.

• rolled up leaves
• hanging leaves
• Holes in the leaves
• leaves turned white
• yellowing of leaves
• leaves or black spots
• understory growth

final thoughts

If your clematis leaves have suddenly become sticky, you now know that pests are the root cause.

You just need to deal with them quickly to avoid other more serious problems.

That’s really all there is to say.

As always, have fun gardening and enjoy the experience!