Bush fuchsia branches withering

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by cucumber, Sep 1, 2019.

  1. cucumber

    cucumber Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2012
    Messages:
    59
    Location:
    London, UK
    Ratings:
    +11
    Hi.

    My bush fuchsia has a mixture of healthy and dead branches. I've not had this problem before. Does anyone know what's causing this and whether it will kill the entire shrub?

    Thanks

    IMG_20190901_120406.jpg
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    6,042
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Mad Scientist
    Location:
    Paignton Devon
    Ratings:
    +20,953
    I don't know what the problem is, but I would cut off the dead branches and burn or send to local authority green waste. Then wait and see what happens.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    • cucumber

      cucumber Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 11, 2012
      Messages:
      59
      Location:
      London, UK
      Ratings:
      +11
      Thanks. I've tried Googling to find a similar picture without success.
       
    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 31, 2012
      Messages:
      6,042
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Mad Scientist
      Location:
      Paignton Devon
      Ratings:
      +20,953
      The good news is that it doesn't appear to be Fuchsia bud gall mite.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • cucumber

        cucumber Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        59
        Location:
        London, UK
        Ratings:
        +11
        I can't see any obvious signs of bugs but it's affecting quite a few stems.
         
      • Pushkin

        Pushkin Super Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 19, 2018
        Messages:
        327
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Gardener
        Location:
        Bristol
        Ratings:
        +1,220
      • cucumber

        cucumber Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        59
        Location:
        London, UK
        Ratings:
        +11
        Thanks for the link. It looks like the reader's entire plant has succumbed. I don't know the variety of my plant.
         
      • Mike Allen

        Mike Allen Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jan 4, 2014
        Messages:
        2,861
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired. Plant Pathologist.
        Location:
        Eltham. SE. London
        Ratings:
        +6,097
        Hello Cucumber. Please, don't panic. The rest of your fuchsia is looking extremely healthy. My advice is, trace the affected branch down as far as possible and cut it off. If possible burn it.
         
        Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
      • cucumber

        cucumber Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        59
        Location:
        London, UK
        Ratings:
        +11
        It started off with one branch being affected and now it's four. I might have to prune the whole bush soon if it gets worse.
         
      • Janet mahay

        Janet mahay Gardener

        Joined:
        Oct 24, 2018
        Messages:
        516
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Uk west mid
        Ratings:
        +609
        Hi just get rid of the bad stem etc far as the root if possibl and see how the rest of the plant goes , it doas not look bad
        at times it seem plants can be un predictable lol eg my bush fushia last year was flowering till january where as this year it flowered for 6 weeks and all thats left is 2 flowers on it yet the plant bush is green bushy and healthy. , no pests on it yellow or spotted leaves it looks a thick green bush in a big plant pot
         
      • cucumber

        cucumber Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        59
        Location:
        London, UK
        Ratings:
        +11
        I've followed the advice to prune out the bad stems. On inspection the wood is still moist and alive, so perhaps it's a problem that affects just the leaves.
         
      • cucumber

        cucumber Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        59
        Location:
        London, UK
        Ratings:
        +11
        It looks like the whole plant will need to be cut back as I'm losing a couple of stems a day.
         
      • Janet mahay

        Janet mahay Gardener

        Joined:
        Oct 24, 2018
        Messages:
        516
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Uk west mid
        Ratings:
        +609
        Hi sorry to hear that but its better to cut it back and losethe plant altogether but if it grows and you have white leaves i am sorry but i would get rid of it carefully, as it could spread to your other plants and start over again with a new plant,
         
      • Mike Allen

        Mike Allen Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jan 4, 2014
        Messages:
        2,861
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired. Plant Pathologist.
        Location:
        Eltham. SE. London
        Ratings:
        +6,097
        Hello again Cucumber. As said previously, the rest of your bush/hedge is looking good. Do you know the name of it. Is it Fuchsia magellanica?

        You say that the affected branch/branches are green underneath the mould and moist. Mould can be induced by airborne bacteria, but this very hit and miss. Another cause for mould, is close confinement plus a few added problems. The sudden changes in the weather conditions have a lot to answer for. Without actually examining the affected branches, I am working in a dark room without a torch. Do your best to trace the affected branch down to its base. Cut off completely. Then late autumn/early spring, take the secateurs to the bush and get rid of old growth, let some light into the centre. Please keep me updated. I will do my best to help you.
         
      • cucumber

        cucumber Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        59
        Location:
        London, UK
        Ratings:
        +11
        Hi Mike. I think you could be right about close confinement as this year I planted geums around the base and everything looks a bit crowded. The magellanica name sounds familiar.
         
      Loading...

      Share This Page

      1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
        By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
        Dismiss Notice