"Kostas Kavoussanakis" wrote in message
.np.hx...

I planted a clematis in March while it was dormant. When doing so, the
(thin anyway) old growth broke off. I saw some growth about a month
ago, but the biggest of the emerging stems got stuck at 5cm. I
tried to examine it and I realised that it was munched off just under
the soil surface. The same thing happened to another 3 of them, that
did not even make it to 5cm.

When I planted the clematis, I sprinkled some slug repellent (the bio
one, that just deters them from crawling to the target) and topped it
up again another couple of times since then. The brick I am using to
provide some shade to the roots has been home to 5 slugs in the past
(but I am not checking it all that regularly). Any idea what's eating
the clematis?

Thanks in advance,
Kostas

I am not a great fan of the stone on roots advice often given for clematis,
it only harbours slugs and snails (the latter being the most likely culprit
in your case) Clematis could not care less about sun on their roots, what
they want is moisture, so as long as it doesn't dry out it will be fine
without a snail hotel!
other possible culprits are mice and voles, and Ghost moth caterpillars
(large white things that live in the soil) I don't suffer from the last but
someone who does may help you out with how to get rid of them.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)