Fasciation on Fuchsia flowers

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by scillonian, Dec 17, 2011.

  1. scillonian

    scillonian Gardener

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    Hi,
    I have noticed there is a fair bit of fasciation of fuchsia flowers that has developed this Autumn. I first noticed it in the town I work in 26 miles away,when i started there in September. Some shrubs there were very badly affected particularly on megallanica and ricartonii's, to the point that all the flowers were disfigured and the appearance of the plants completely ruined.
    I had not seen it before here in Paignton but since then, the overhanging fuchsia in our garden has developed it similarly. and now other varieties in the local gardens are too.

    I'm hoping they will be back to normal next year!!!!

    I will try and upload a photo.

    001.jpg

    002.jpg

    Has anyone experienced this before?
     
  2. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Not on Fuchsias, but on various other plants. It is caused by 'mechanical' damage to the buds or stems. Insects, weed killer, wind all can cause this to happen. Since it is not genetic then the plants usually return to normal growth the following year.
     
  3. scillonian

    scillonian Gardener

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    That's right Palustris, thank you. It is quite common on the likes of Euonymus japonicus and Forsythias where the branches become contorted. Prune it out and you don't often see it again but it is very sporadic. Here it is now fairly widespread on a lot of Fuchsias in the area and has developed not on the early stage of the buds but on existing flowers.

    Like you say though, hopefully it will be back to normal next year :thumb:
     
  4. pete

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

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    It looks more like a fungal disease to me.

    Faciation affects the growing point, (at least thats what I thought), and makes the stem widen, this appears to be a leaf or flower problem.
     
  5. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Fasciation can and does occur on flowers as well as on stems and leaves. One of our Veronicastrums last year had every single flower doubled in this way. Got a picture of it somewhere, but it would take hours to find it. Have also seen it on Sedum flowers and weirdest of all on Red Hot pokers.
     
  6. PeterS

    PeterS Total Gardener

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    I have never seen fasciation of a fuchsia, but in the past I had a couple of Fuchsia flowers with petals that were red with a smooth edge, but had inserted into them a section of leaf that was green with a serrated edge.

    [​IMG]

    Fasciation is a most curious phenomena. A couple of years ago I saw this Verbascum at Harewood House.
     
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    • pete

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

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      The only reason I say this is because its the nearest thing to Peach leaf curl I've seen.

      But obviously this is on a fuschia.:D
       
    • J.O'Neill Landscapes

      J.O'Neill Landscapes Apprentice Gardener

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      Fuchsia garden pests

      I have seen something similar to this before. My method was to all affected growth back then spray with a multi purpose pesticide and fungicide. Seemed to help situation, I haven't seen it this year while gardening
       
    • willow

      willow Naughty Gardener

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      Blimey!
       
    • longk

      longk Total Gardener

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      That is a Verbascum that I would have cherished!
       
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      • scillonian

        scillonian Gardener

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        Whooooooooah! That is one messed up Verbascum!!!!!!!
         
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