fuschsia gone wrong

My Fuchsia has gone all tight and curly pretty much all over. Its been here for years and I cut it back every year to keep it under control. Id actually like to get rid of it but the roots are just too big and Im not able. A ny ideas what the problem might be and what can I do about it?

 

HI Cindy. Looks very much like gall mite. Have a look at. Pests and Diseases of Fuchsias in the UK

 

Hi Mike Ive looked at the link and sadly I think you are right. I will go out there tomorrow and try and cut off all the affected stems.

 

I think Mike is spot on.....it was my first thought too.

Cindy, sorry to say that I think the only option is to burn the plant but don’t just cut it back.
Touch wood, no gall mite here but it is increasingly prevalent....devastatingly so....in many parts of the country

 

I'm thinking of giving up most Fuschias because of this pest. Interesting it doesn't appear to affect Thalia, a favourite of mine, or Fuschia microphylla.

 

Blimey, never seen this before.

 

Well I wont be able to move tomorrow as spent just over 2hrs digging it up. Knew I wouldn't sleep for worrying about it. I know I haven't got ALL of the roots as they just went too deep and under the fence. The main one almost had the circumference of my wrist. I used a Spade, a Fork, Secateurs, Loppers, Tree Lopper and an electric hedge cutter. I almost felt like I was gonna pass out but the b****r wasn't gonna beat me. Think I must be nearly dehydrated too. Two problems now, most importantly my cat Dave will probably leave home as behind the Fuchsia was his den were he chilled when he gets fed up following me round the garden and secondly I now have a bare space of approx. 3ft x 2ft at the beginning of the border which looks ridiculous. Having said all that Big Thanks to @Mike Allen and @Verdun for the info and advice. Much appreciated.

 

Put a shrubby salvia there instead Cindy....flowers all summer

 

Go Cindy! It's so nice to hear about you being so spunky and determined after your recent low with water damage, I find that the former is an 'antidote' to the latter. I'm not sure if 'African Sky' qualifies as "shrubby" regarding our friend Verdun's suggestion but as a juvenile plant it seems like a seriously rapid grower so it may be appropriate here. I'm loving salvias ATM, such a rapid reflowering rate after being deadheaded if my 'Blue Marvel' is anything to go by!

Nick

 

I'm saddened to report that Gall Mite has affected a fair few of my beloved fuchsias this year.

I may have to consider getting rid of them totally.

 

Shame Pushkin
Get rid ASAP then to help protect other fuchsias

 

@Pushkin That's a shame. Ive still got quite a gap where mine was and the cat hasn't forgiven me for destroying his den. It'll take till next yr to fill the gap and patience is most definitely not my middle name but it seems to me its something a gardener has to learn so Im trying. (I know I know ….I'm very trying)

 

Sorry to hear that. Fuchsia gall mite started in the USA 1981 and is believed to have spread due to the vast worldwide transportation of plants.

According to an olf friend, Ron Ewart of the BFS. It hadn't arrived in the UK by 1989. His advice was to spray the plants with a systemic insecicide based on Disulfoton.

 

I've just decided to give fuchsias apart from Thalia and close relatives of it, at least fro a few years.
@Mike Allen Disulfoton is no longer available see here disulfoton As an Organophosphate insecticide I wouldn't use it anyway, I react badly to them; too much exposure growing up in rural Lincolnshire.

 

I wish salvia liked me.
I like them.