fuschsia gone wrong

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by ThePlantAssassin, Jul 28, 2019.

  1. ThePlantAssassin

    ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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    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 20190728_125232.jpg ny ideas what the problem might be and what can I do about it?
     
  2. Mike Allen

    Mike Allen Total Gardener

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    • ThePlantAssassin

      ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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      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.
       
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      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

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

        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
         
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        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

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          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.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Blimey, never seen this before.
             
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            • ThePlantAssassin

              ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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              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.
               
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              • Verdun

                Verdun Passionate gardener

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                Put a shrubby salvia there instead Cindy....flowers all summer :)
                 
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                • Nikolaos

                  Nikolaos Total Gardener

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                  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
                   
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                  • Pushkin

                    Pushkin Super Gardener

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                    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. :frown:
                     
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                    • Verdun

                      Verdun Passionate gardener

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                      Shame Pushkin :)
                      Get rid ASAP then to help protect other fuchsias:)
                       
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                      • ThePlantAssassin

                        ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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                        @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)
                         
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                        • Mike Allen

                          Mike Allen Total Gardener

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                          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.
                           
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                          • NigelJ

                            NigelJ Total Gardener

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                            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.
                             
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                              Last edited: Aug 5, 2019
                            • DMM

                              DMM Gardener

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                              I wish salvia liked me.
                              I like them.
                               
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