FUCHSIA MITE
Gay McWhirter
I know many, many articles have been written about fuchsia gall mite both on getting rid of it and preventing it, but my success prompts me to write another one.
Here in Crescent City we have had a lot of problems with the mite as we have no temperature extremes and have humid conditions most of the year. Both of these situations seem to be ideal for the gall mite.
Two years ago I saw an ad on TV for “Bayer all in one rose and flower care” in a liquid form, I do not use the kind that is dry or granular. Shortly thereafter I saw mention of it in the North West Fuchsia Society newsletter, so I decided to try it. It is a liquid soil drench; a systemic fertilizer, pest control, and fungicide. Do not apply as a spray.
I grow my potted fuchsias in a 16´ by 20´ lath house and also have a number of fuchsias in the ground. Doing the usual “no, no” of not fully reading the label I used it on my pots and hanging baskets at the rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. (Remember this is a soil drench so be careful not to get it on the leaves and don’t let it drip on plants underneath because it will burn the leaves).
I also used it on my fuchsias in the ground at the rate of 1/2 cup per gallon of water with good success. I first applied it about the end of May and again the middle of July. About three weeks after each application I resumed fertilizing my pots every week with a 20-20-20 fertilizer at one tablespoon per gallon of water.
After two years of applying this “all in one” product I have had no gall mite, no white flies, no rust, and no aphids.
You may need to adjust the time frame of application depending on your climate and when gall mite usually appears where you live.
Also remember that the label on the “Bayer all in one” container says “do not use on potted plants,” so you do so at your own risk. Also don’t use it on recently potted up plants or plants in pots smaller than 4 inch. I have had great success and am most pleased with its ease of application and not having to keep spraying and spraying to no avail. I will continue to use “Bayer all in one” liquid and keep track of my success and failures.
If you have any questions you can reach me at movenon@charter.net.