9 July 2021

Controlling Fuchsia Gall MIte

Voted the number 7 pest in last years Top Ten Pest by the RHS, Fuchsia Gall Mite is becoming a big problem. Fuchsia gall mite is a microscopic sap-sucking pest that causes extensive damage to the growing tips of the plants affecting the appearance of fuchsias. These tiny pest mites cannot be seen with the naked eye, but there affects on the plants are easily spotted – look out for distorted foliage, galling and will be unable to flower. The Gall Mites suck the sap from the shoot tips, which prevents the normal development of leaves and flowers and as the numbers of mites rises, the foliage becomes increasingly distorted until plants no longer produce normal leaves or flowers.

Images of the damaged growing points, blistered leaves and distorted growth caused by Fuchsia Gall Mite.

Control Fuchsia Gall Mite by introducing a predatory mite called Amblyseius Andersonii that will feed to the Fuchsia Gall Mite. Position the predator once new growth appears and any damage is spotted, but if your plants have suffered in previous years, then it can be introduced as a preventative measure, but if your plants are already infected, cut the affected growth out first (cutting back at least 10cm below the affected growth) and then introduce it. Amblyseius Andersonii is supplied in sachets with each sachet containing a colony of Amblyseius and a supply of food, which will last them for up to 6-8 weeks, so it is ideal for using when Fuchsia Gall Mite numbers are low i.e. early or late in the season or if you have a persistent RSM problem each year and you want to introduce a preventative predator. CLICK HERE to buy sachets.

Each sachet contains a colony of Amblyseius and a supply of food, which will last them for up to 6-8 weeks.

Simply hang sachets on the affected plants BOTH INDOORS and OUTDOORS – when using them outdoors it is a good idea to staple the ends of the sachets together to stop them being blown off the plant – the sachets are weather resistant. Aim to hang 1 on each affected plant if the plants are small, but increase the numbers of sachets per plant if the plants are bigger or if the Gall Mites are extensive – you cannot overdose, so do not be afraid to hang lots of sachets to get on top of the problem. Available in packs of 5 (for £7.50) up to 100 or if you need larger numbers of sachets, please contact jon@greengardener.co.uk for a quote.

Stapling the sachet end together stops them being blown off the plants.

Amblyseius Andersonii is a living, perishable product, so please order when the temperature is suitable (minimum daytime temp of 10c, but below this they will be fine but be sluggish – they particularity good at higher temps i.e. above 30c, so they can be used during hot summers) and you are ready to position the sachets on the plants. Available ALL YEAR ROUND for use UNDERGLASS. CLICK HERE to buy sachets.

Fuchsia Gall Mite was discovered in the UK in 2007 and may have been imported on plants brought in from France / Channel Islands where the mite is widespread. Since then it has gone on to be found in the South East, East Anglia, Wales and Cheshire.  Fuchsia Gall Mites are tiny and do not travel far under their own steam, but it is believed they are spread by the wind, by insects and by the movement of plants from one garden to another. It is believed to be active between early Spring and late Autumn and it can complete its life-cycle in 21 days, so they will have several generations each year and their numbers can quickly build up. Fuchsia Gall Mites will overwinter under bud scales outdoors, but may remain active during the winter on glasshouse fuchsias. Introducing Amblyseius Andersonii BOTH early in the season and late in the season to deal with overwintering mites is an effective way of stopping their numbers building up. CLICK HERE to buy sachets.

N.B. Amblyseius Andersonii needs a daytime temperature of 10°C and is a perishable product, so please order when the temperature is suitable and you are ready to position the sachets on the plants.

Available to buy now