You know, I am sure I can hear this fuchsia's roots quivering in their compost as I approach. To say it has suffered somewhat of an ordeal is an understatement - its treatment has been horrendous.But isn't it amazing? After being written off as a hopeless case about two weeks ago, it seems to be surviving a Botrytis attack. Why?
The infected limb has been amputated and sprayed with kitchen bleach, along with any others which seemed suspect. The remainder of the plant has been dusted with yellow sulphur powder, a contact fungicide.
And I am really pleased to report that not only has the disease apparently been halted, the sulphur seems to have caused no damage to the new developing buds (I was afraid it might burn them). I don't know if you can see, but there are now some new buds coming up from deeper down in the compost. This should be good for next year - the original intention.
The only problem now is that the light is not strong enough to support the temperature. Consequently, the growth is rather thin. This plant would be best put outside where things are cooler. But there is rain about.
It will be interesting to see whether cuttings taken later from the plant will suffer with Botrytis. In other words, has it travelled within the vascular system?
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