Fuschia - what has happened!?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Charlie, Apr 19, 2006.

  1. Charlie

    Charlie Gardener

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    In March my lovely Fuschia looked like this -

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    And now it looks like this - what has happened and will it come back again?!

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  2. frogesque

    frogesque Gardener

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    I don't know and if you find out let me know as I noticed one today thats that's gone 'south' too. All the small green shoots have just dropped off.

    Mine's not been frosted although it may have been chilled but I do have a sneaky suspicion it could be vine weevil so it's coming out the pot tomorrow for a good look amongst the roots
     
  3. mims

    mims Gardener

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    Deffo looks like vine weevil to me too. Pull the plant out of the pot and if there are any little white grubby things in there chuck the lot in the bin.
     
  4. MICK FORD

    MICK FORD Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi Charlie& Fogesque

    guess what its vine weevil for my money its had lots of my plants this year (dam bug)
    If you find the veevil dump the whole plant and any compost in the bin its the best way to rid your self of it
    good luck
    mick
     
  5. frogesque

    frogesque Gardener

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    Yep, I'm thinking mine is doomed - frustrating after keeping all through winter :mad:

    I have had something else attack them in the past. Hundreds of tiny (~1.5mm) greyish white worm things that turned all the roots into a rotten smelly pulp. May have been a sort of eel worm. Anyone else had this with fuscias?
     
  6. Fran

    Fran Gardener

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    Well something catestrophic happened at the roots - and I would agree with the others, that it is most likely vine weevil. Only way to prove it is tip the pot out and check for those nasty little grubs - they love fuchsias.

    Good news is that Provado applied as drench works.
     
  7. frogesque

    frogesque Gardener

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    Emptied the fuschia out the pot today and guess what?! :mad: However, as well as being legless it's now headless :D

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    After summary execution of the beastie I washed all the soil off what remains of the roots, it's been repotted and is now on an 'isolation ward'. I don't hold out a lot of hope but at least it'll get its chance. I also reek of Provado!
     
  8. Fran

    Fran Gardener

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    From the look of that plant it has an excellent chance of surviving and reshooting.

    I remember one very precious cutting that suddenly failed due to those pests - almost rootless when rescued. However the stem was still green, and following replanting it grew new roots.

    I betcha your does OK - now your removed those grubs.
     
  9. mims

    mims Gardener

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    I would echo what Fran says. I have washed the little b*****s out of many pots of fuschias and they have survived..........the plants that is not the B*****s. :D
     
  10. chobart

    chobart Gardener

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    Hello Charlie

    All I can say is great photographs - lousy subject. Having just done the same thing with one of my Fuschias I fully sympathise but I'm sure that the plant will recover.
    Best of luck...........
     
  11. Happy Hippy

    Happy Hippy Gardener

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    Yuck, nasty bug, does this happen with hardy fuschias in the garden aswell???
     
  12. UsedtobeDendy

    UsedtobeDendy Gardener

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    Haven't seen it there, HH, but it doesn't mean I won't!! ;) Need to be ever-vigilant!
     
  13. Happy Hippy

    Happy Hippy Gardener

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    Is there any protection i can give my new fuschia plants before i plant them out??
     
  14. chobart

    chobart Gardener

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    My experience of the dreaded vine weevil is that it appears from nowhere - it appears to like fuschias but does not like the taste of geranium/pelargoniums in the same tubs. Fresh compost (weevil free) is the only suggestion I can offer.

    Ref the hardy fuschias - have never seen one attacked.............

    By the way it can wreak havoc in yor Primulas!
     
  15. Charlie

    Charlie Gardener

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    Hi everyone
    Many thanks for the input - yes it was indeed vine weevil and I just dumped the lot. Its off to the GC!
     
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