Troubleshooting Shrivelled Fuchsia Leaves

These shrivelled and spotted fuchsia leaves (centre and bottom centre) have appeared over the past week on the tryphilla fuchsia which earlier survived botrytis.

Apart from the spotting (which usually indicates disease), shrivelled leaves are usually a sign of water shortage, either:

• because the compost is dry or frozen
• because the roots cannot take up water due to damage:

• pests (usually vine weevils) have chewed them (aphids and eelworms also cause problems on other plants)
• they have frozen (or are just too cold)
• soil conditions (such as waterlogging, acidity, nutrient concentration, or toxic chemicals)

My first thought was dry compost, since the plant has not been watered since it was re-potted.

Yes, the pot didn't feel light enough to be completely dry, And I could see healthy roots through the bottom. But I thought it might have had something to do with the drastic treatment the roots had earlier received (excess trimming). And of course, there was also the kitchen bleach given to kill the botrytis.

Failing all this, it could be vine weevils (a major problem with fuchsias kept outside). Although, before repotting, the compost had been treated with thiacloprid ('Provado Vine Weevil Killer') a long-lasting (about 2 months) systemic insecticide.

But it is the dark leaf spot I don't like. This looks like a fungus disease.

Normally there would be no problem - just water and give more 'Provado', in case there are vine weevils, then treat with a fungicide if the plant doesn't recover (water-stressed plants usually recover within 12 hours).

But there is a problem - the botrytis -this thrives in wet compost. So if water is added alone, it will encourage the disease.

So I watered with 'Systhane' (myclobutanil). This should should allow the compost to be wetted whilst preventing new botrytis attack. Things need watching closely.