Fuchsias... protecting your fuchsias plants against pests and disease

Fuchsias become prone to disease and attacks by pests due to mistakes made in caring for them. Preventive measures include:

• Purchase only healthy plants that rapidly grow
• Place the fuchsia in a well-aerated, bright position
• Avoid overfeeding the plant as this leads to spongy growth
• When irrigating the fuchsia do not over do it and make sure that the water is not too cold.
• Do not allow the fuchsias to be water logged
• Do not plant the plant too deep in the soil

Use an infusion of mare's tail. It has silicic acid which helps to strengthen the fuchsia's tissue and make it less prone to moulds and fungi.

Methods of control

Chemical means

Spraying or watering with plant friendly pesticides and fungicides

Mechanical means

This involves removing infested and diseased parts of the plant and removing pests.

Biological control

This involves using natural pest predators for example predatory mites, lacewing flies or other useful insects.

Alternatives

Using sticky yellow strips such as bio-friendly green house fly catchers, odour traps, herbal brews and aromatic plant sprays.

Physiological damage

This is used to describe diseases that are not caused by insects or micro-organisms but diseases that occur due to bad fuchsias caring techniques. Excessive water pushes oxygen out of the soil, results in lower temperatures and promotes rotting of roots. Rotting occurs because of soil moulds and fungi which thrive in wet conditions.

At the same time too little water is also bad. The fuchsia's root stock quickly dries out and the plant will wilt. Excessive feeding also results in physiological damages. Chemical burns due to surplus mineral salts and unhealthy growth due to too much Nitrogen are all signs of over feeding.

Too much sunlight results in burns and discolouration of the leaves while too little sunlight makes the plant look leggy and sick. The fuchsia will develop long, pale weak shoots which are prone to any type of disease.

Very high temperatures result in the fuchsia's leaves falling off while low temperatures stagnant growth.

Salt damage

Symptoms include limp leaves, pale green transparent leaves that later become brown. Leaves drop off easily. Salt damage can be stopped by promptly removing the plant from the pot and loosening the root stock. Dead roots should be cut off immediately.

The fuchsia should be repotted in a smaller container with potting compost.
Fungal attack

Fuchsias that are stressed and weakened are prone to fungal infections. The parasites cannot attack healthy plants. Fungal infections include mildew, rust and grey mould.

Mildew

The Fuchsia develops white patches on the buds and flowers. The leaves develop spots and fall of easily. Mildew thrive in very humid conditions and in areas were the temperature changes constantly. Fungicide solution can be sprayed onto the fuchsia.

Rust

rust develops in the humid conditions or when the plants are growing to close together. The plant becomes discoloured and rust is noticeable on the underside of the leaves. Leaves will begin to fall off. A fungicide can be sprayed after every 4 days until the fuchsia has strengthened.

Pests

Aphids and red spider mites seem to thrive in positions that have high pressure and high temperatures ( above 25`C). Damper areas promote cyclamen mites. Pests usually come from other plants and can damage the fuchsia if they are not controlled.

Vine weevil

The vine weevil larva is the fuchsia's number one enemy. It is difficult to catch the beetle because it hides underground during the day. The beetle eats out the edges of leaves while the larva destroys the fuchsia's roots. The vine weevil comes out only at dusk and this is the only time one can catch and destroy it. Illuminated traps, baited with sticky substances can be used to attract the bug. You can also sterilize the soil or compost.

Caterpillars

They normally originate from other plants close to the fuchsia where the owlet moth laid the eggs such as willow herb. The caterpillars will migrate to the fuchsia when the host plant dies. Caterpillars chew small holes in parts of the plant above the ground. Pesticides can be used to fight off caterpillars.

Other harmful insects include White fly and Thrips. These can be controlled using helpful insects and herbal.