FUCHSIAS

I bought it from someone on Gumtree who bought it for their daughter who never used it.
It was boxed brand new.
It has an over head light source too to view solid objects.

I paid just £10 for it. I'm sure I'm going to be using it lots when I retire.

I'm after a telescope now.

 

@Pushkin you might find this interesting https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjWkZWzxPvuAhWGT8AKHaUBAuYQFjAJegQIBRAD&url=https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/assets/factsheets/fuchsiaGallMite12.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3SBNuZJC9S3Giy0rdy1T2s apologies if you have already found it.
Not sure how available Abamectin is to gardeners, it was included in a Westland product "Plant Rescue Bug Killer Ornamental Plants", but as it included a neonicotinoid this was withdrawn a year or so back.

 

Thanks.
I have read this before and that's where I got the notion of using Abamectin.
I have a source of the chemical and will be ordering soon.

There are fuchsias that are unaffected by the mite. I would love to know why they don't affect them? It could be the answer we are looking for.

 

Well done. Certainly a bargain. Hope you have fun with it.

 

Right here is some info I received from Lockyer Fuchsias.
I asked if they know away to stop Fuchsia Gall Mite.
Here is the reply:

"Im sorry to hear you have gall mite in your garden which is becoming a problem over the last few years.Unfortunately there is no recommended spray for this problem but customer feedback is that most trip and mite sprays can help to prevent the problem restarting if regular spraying is done in the early summer months before the problem gets a hold. Provado is the spray that seems to have the best results apparently, but i have no personal experience with this product as we regularly use the very expensive commercial chemical called 'dynamec' and to date we have never had a problem here on the nursery, but this has cost us a small fortune over the years. I'm sure awareness, pruning and hygienic disposal are the other option if all else fails, but please dont give up hope as many customer have thanked me for that avise and are now free of the problem, so i hope these few words will also help you too. There is also a vast amount of further info online if you care to google it including many photos."

 

It's a shame, I love fuchsias, but every summer they get destroyed by gall mites. Cutting branches doesn't help. These pests find even 1 little fuchsia planted in the corner of the garden.
It's interesting - they may live on other plants too so that they find fuchsias so quickly.

 

Seems like we need to spray with Provado every two weeks to keep the ingredients within its sap active, though they only recommend 4 sprays on such plants; though think it on edibles you have to be most careful.
If you read how it works, by paralysing the bugs mouthparts you probably want to keep well away from it yourself !

 

Regular spraying will contribute to growing new generations resistant to Provado :(

 

That's when I'll switch to Abamectin.

 

Going to try Neem Oil spray to see it kills gall mite.
Wish me luck.

 

Looking for a little bit of fuchsia advice
I intended to cut them down a little end of autumn but they still had flowers. There looking quite raggetty now some advice says to cut them right down and they will come back can this still be done now (after the weekends threat of snow) how far can I cut them back ?? I have about 8 some are just starting to produce leaves others are totally bare. here's some unflattering photies
And a little closer in should I cut it that far down?

Others

 

Hi,

You can cut them down as far as you like, provided you can still see some buds below.

The lower you cut, the plant will probably not grow much bigger than it is now, but if you cut higher up it will soon grow out bigger.

It surprising how a few feet can make a big difference in how quickly they all get growing, some tops many not have survived winter, but you will problably get new shoots from below, if so, keep and eye out for them as the slugs and snails enjoy them as well !

Some can take a good few weeks more before you see any signs of life, so do not out them in haste.

 

Was happy not to have gall mites this season, but what's the desease (or improper care result) my fuchsias get every year and die? Leaves go purple (not sun burns, plants are in the shade) and fall off.

 

Hi @Alisa

Some of ours have gone a similar way, suspected Red Spider Mite but after checking with a strong magnifier could not find any trace of any insects.

Previously we had to use a Bug killer on them due to green and white fly, don't know if thats had a longer term affect on them, have you used any such products on yours this summer ?

Just been giving them an extra feed plus some Seaweed extract to see if that helps them put out fresh new green leaves, expect the existing leaves will just drop off in time.

With the weather being so mixed up this year its affected a lot of plants though some have given the best crop ever, like onions.

 

Nope, didn't use any chemicals on them this year, no insects (not even under magnifying glass). Didn't feed much. It somehow happens every year. The only reason I could think about - maybe those heavy rains together with cool nights... Compost is free draining, but after long rains pot was very heavy. So far no changes.