14 August 2024

Fuchsia Gall Mite

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 their effects on the plants are easily spotted – look out for distorted foliage, galling and will be unable to flower.

The Fuchsia Gall Mites suck the sap from the shoot tips, which prevents the normal development of leaves and flowers and as the number of mites rises, the foliage becomes increasingly distorted until plants no longer produce normal leaves or flowers. 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. They are 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. Otherwise introduce the predatory Amblyseius Andersonni mites as soon as the Fuchsia Gall Mite are spotted.

Control Fuchsia Gall Mite by introducing a predatory mite called Amblyseius Andersonii that will feed on the Fuchsia Gall Mite. If your plants have suffered in previous years, then introduce as a preventative measure, but if your plants are already infected, then cut the affected growth out, cutting back at least 10cm below the affected growth and then introduce Amblyseius Andersonii. Supplied in sachets, each sachet contains 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. If you have a persistent RSM problem each year and you want to introduce a preventative predator.

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. 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.

Fuchsia Sachet Programmes – Our Fuchsia Gall Mite Sachets contain the Amblyseius Andersonii predator with food – this food will last them for 6-8 weeks, so if you have a persistent Fuchsia Gall Mite problem and you want to introduce a preventative predator throughout the growing season, Amblyseius Andersonii is ideal. Our Fuchsia Sachet Programmes consist of separate deliveries of 20 sachets of Ambly sent AUTOMATICALLY at 6 weekly intervals – simply choose between a 3, 4 or 5 introduction programme. Hang approx 1 sachets per plant i.e. 20 sachets is enough to treat the average greenhouse (10 x 6). Amblyseius Andersonii is a living, perishable product, so please order when the temperature is suitable (10c) and you are ready to position the sachets on the plants.

From Elaine Newsome (verified user) – August 1, 2024 – “I ordered a treatment for fuschia gall mite. The order arrived within the promised time and they replied swiftly to my emailed query. The treatment worked and the gall has cleared up. Excellent service and price. I would definitely use this company again.”

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