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Fuchsia purple leaves

Dilip_UKDilip_UK Posts: 114
in Problem solving
I have a hardy Fuchsia in the front south facing garden. It’s planted by the wall under the living room. It’s been there 20 years. Give it TLC and all seems fine but last 2 years notices purple colour leaves at the end of the stems, leaves are also curled up. 90% of the plant has this, however, some branch’s next to the wall are okay. It’s planted next to a hydrangea, which too has purple leaves, which I seen before over the years but only the last and this season for Fuchsia. Any ideas, what I should do. thank you.  

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I wonder if it might be deficient in something. The yellowing between the veins on the Hydranga could also be the same problem. Not sure if anyone else can help?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited June 2022
    That’s fuchsia gall mite,  you could try cutting the whole plant down to the ground and putting the leaves in the dustbin, not green waste or compost. Clear all the leaves away from the base.  It may work,  it may not and you’ll need to get rid of the whole lot. 

    Edit,  there’s an article here may help you,  seems they have an insecticide spray now  which may help,  up to you what you want to try. 
    https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-Fuschia-Gall-Mites
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Dilip_UKDilip_UK Posts: 114
    @GardenerSuze, thanks. Seems we have a good diagnosis from Lyn. 

    Lyn, thank you, that’s very informative, seems like a major issue. I have Neem oil and horticultural soap which I could try. But since most of the plant is infected, then best to consider removal of the plant. 


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @dbhattuk Yes I agree good you have a firm answer.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Dilip_UKDilip_UK Posts: 114
    Well that was that. The fuchsia is no longer. I think I had to bite the bullet. Is was badly infected with fuchsia gall mite it seems. Need to chop off the lower branches and then the stump. Very sad since I had the plant for over 20 years. I have another fuchsia in a pot in the back garden, pray it’s okay. I tried not to contaminate. Washed cleaned the tools and changed clothes before going to the back garden. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I cut two ( hawkshead and delta sarah)down to the ground but didn't get around to digging out the roots. They came back fit and healthy but they were only a few years old. I don't know if that makes a difference.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Dilip_UKDilip_UK Posts: 114
    @B3, thank you now that’s a thought. Maybe give it a spray with horticultural soap, take out dead wood, clean and mulch around the base. Perhaps it will come back without the bug. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I didn't spray them with anything as I fully intended to dig them out.
    If it's not in the way, I'd leave it and see if anything emerges.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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