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Fuchsias
jennifer132
Posts: 11
I noticed in the garden today that some of my fuchias have developed what I will describe as 'cankers' where flower buds would be appearing. I cut them off but what are they and what is causing them. Advice please.
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Posts
something called Fuchsia gall mite springs to mind
In the sticks near Peterborough
How should that be treated please
There is currently no official treatment on the market, but it is said that it is likely to be killed off by extreme cold temperatures. It's thought that warmer winters have enabled it to carry over from year to year on the hardy Fuchsias. You will need to prune back the affected areas and keep the base area clean. Clean your equipment before and after use. Promptly remove dead leaves lying around.
Sorry to bring you bad news,but I have just had to bin about 30 of mine, they will not recover what ever you do,I think in time this will be the death of certain Fuchsias as there is no cure and by keeping the ones infected it will spread to others. I found a few that it did not seem to affect but not many. This mite at the moment is only affecting plants in the south but is slowly moving north. My hobby has been growing Fuchsias for the past 40 years but sadly nearly all my stock has been affected.These mites are invisible to the naked eye so as Borderline says make sure you clean anything that has come in contact with them.
Here is a map showing its progress
Thanks for your advice. Very sad to have to carry it out!
Thanks to you all for your advice. Very sad to have to carry it out! I already have signs of it in several plants - ones that have been in my borders for many years. As this mite only seems to affect the flower buds at the end of the branches, would it be possible to take cuttings from unaffected parts of the plant?
I tried this and the cutting could be fine but once the plant grows you will still have the problem when it starts to flower, believe me I tried everything but in the end I had to give in to it and burn the plants. I really do sympathise with you it hurts to lose plants that you have had for years.
Thanks for your reply. Some of the plants in tubs seem to have escaped the mite but those next to each other in the borders are the ones affected. Will have to take your advice but will find it difficult to burn them so will have to dispose of them by other means.