Poorly Fushias

My fushias are one by one succumbing to the same thing. Dark purply patches on their leaves then the leaves turn yellow. - any ideas anyone?

It hasn't happened to the hardy ones just the pretty ones in the baskets. It is a shame as I was going to try and over winter some of them. Is it a disease or have they ust finished for the season?

Would be very grateful of any replies

Many thanks

EGW

 

Probably 'cause it's Autumn, at a guess. I always cut the non-hardy types back, at this time of the year and wrap them up for the Winter.

 

Thanks Cajary, I hoped that was the case however the first one did this about six weeks ago.

I cut all tha one right back as it was in a basket and unsightly, so not sure if it is still going. How might I over winter them. I was just going to put them on the shelf in my shed - Would really appreaciate your advice as I have some lovely ones I'd like to keep.

Should I cut them all back now (and how far) or leave it to spring. I usually leave my hardy ones till spring

 

Hi eg. Well the non-hardy ones in the ground, I cut back now and put the twigs over them to prevent the frosts penetrating. The non-hardy ones in pots I cut back now, wrap them up in bubble-wrap and leave them on the patio over the Winter period.
The ones I use for Hanging Baskets, I take out and keep them in a big polystyrene container in the cold frame, along with the Geraniums.
However, I do live on the South Coast and hard frosts are(thankfully) rare here.
Good Luck

 

Oh, sorry. I cut them back so there is about1 1/2 inches left on the stem.

 

Cheers thanks. I will do as you suggest but put them on the windowsill in the shed as I don't have a cold frame - hopefully that will suit, though it can get warm in there when the sun shines. (not that that's very often at the moment!) I'll put all but the hardy ones in the shed as I live in Yorkshire and it does get cold and my garden is in a very windy spot. Should I water them at all?

Cheers EGW

 

Hi have you considered the fact that they may be attacked by Vine weevil.
They lay their eggs earlier in the season and the larvae develop and eat the root structure.
The only way to find out is to inspect the root ball.
small white worm like creatures.dispose of all soil in recycling bin and re-pot

 

Hi Belto - would this cause this to happen to the leaves?

 

Fusias are deciduous, when the leaves drop off cut the stems back to a couple of inches and keep in greenhouse or just leave outside they should start shooting again in spring unless you get lots of hard frosts where you are. Unless you have the big shrub type, then just leave them.

 

I consulted my wife on this, she has more experience and yes in hanging baskets we have had this problem.
Eating the heart out of anything will cause all sorts of problems progresivly

 

Hi there, as for storage, all I ever did was to cut them back to a couple of inches, remove the compost from the roots and bury them in the greenhouse border, maybe 6" down. Dont think I ever lost one doing it that way. Cheers...freddy.

 

<thanks guys. I have put a few plants on my new shelf in my shed to over winter but have noticed the compost going mouldy - is it too warm in there at the moment? the sun does shine in, in the afternoon.
I have sprayed the compost with fungus fighter and it seems to have done the trick but I reckon perhaps my shed is not the best place for them.
Shame as my dad has just built the shelf along the window sill for me.

 

Hi,egw. When you say going "mouldy" do you mean white stuff on top? There was a thread about this and I think the consensus of opinion was that it was harmless. Hopefully, someone who remembers more accurately than me will trundle along

 

Purple patches on fuchsia leaves are usually a sign of stress - leaves yellowing and falling could mean that the plant has become too wet. I doubt that its cold, as all mine, hardy and non hardy are still green and flowering.

I would suggest that if you wish to overwinter your non hardy fuchsias and they are looking unwell. Take them out of their compost and reput into fresh compost with a good 50% vermiculite. Slightly moisten, and then put on an indoor window sill, or close to the house to recover for a week or so away from the frost. Keep the rain off them.

I overwinter mine in a greenhouse - and don't water except once or twice the whole winter. However if you haven't a greenhouse - either overwinter them indoors - or you can dig a trench, and lay the pot down on its side and bury them - just remember where you left them.

Mold on compost could indicate that there is a problem with wet - fushsias hate the wet.

 

Thanks guys,

Yes it is white stuff on top of the compost. I sprayed the compost with "fungus fighter" which is meant for mildew and black spot on roses etc and it doesn't seem to have done any harm. I'll keep an eye on them. they are pelagonias in the shed, my fushias I haven't yet brought in, I will repot in some fresh dry compost and put them in the shed and see how they fare.

Cheers EGW x