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Merendera montana is a native of the Central Pyrenees
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Unknown beauty Fuchsia gall mites cause plant distortion and are spreading from the south
How do I deal with fuchsia gall mite?
Q
In my mum’s garden she has a large number of fuchsias. They are beautiful when in flower but seem to have all got this gall mite. Is there any way of saving them, maybe by cutting out the infection? Some are 20 years old. Sue Read, Brighton
A
The fuchsia gall mite is a serious pest of fuchsias. It is rare, but has become more widespread since they first arrived in 2007, particularly in the south of the UK. The mites are microscopic and suck the sap at the fuchsia’s shoot tip, secreting chemicals that cause the plant material it to become distorted. The greater the infestation, the greater the distortion, until the plant is incapable of producing normal-looking leaves. Unfortunately there are no chemical treatments that work on the gall mites they are immune to all known products.
All you can do is cut off and dispose of the infested shoot tips – never add them to the compost. Predatory mites can be bought as a biological control, but suppliers say you need to reduce the affected shoots to 4in (10cm) below affected growth before introducing the predator. This biological control can be bought online from nematodesdirect.co.uk, 0808 901 2055. Some fuchsia cultivars are said to be more resistant to the mites, including ‘Baby Chang’, ‘Cinnabarina’, ‘Miniature Jewels’ and ‘Space Shuttle’.
The interloper appears to be Merendera montana, a native of the Central Pyrenees and Iberian Peninsular. Relatively hardy in sheltered gardens, its ribbon-petalled flowers have great appeal. Indeed, it makes a fetching contender for a sunny rock garden. It normally flowers in autumn, but prolonged spells of hot weather will trigger an earlier blooming. It develops from a corm which, if nourished monthly with fish, blood and bone meal, will probably multiply to give you more flowers next year.
Blossom end rot is caused by irregular watering
What is the name of this cheerful yellow plant?
Tomato disaster
Q
Q
Please can you identify this plant? Is it some sort of goldenrod? Suzanne Shaw (via email)
A
Alamy unless credited
Q A
Can you name this plant for us? Gill Smithers (via email)
The plant in question is hardy yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris). Splendid for cheering summer, but it can be invasive. Another, equally appealing form called L. congestiflora ‘Outback Sunset’, is a splendid summer-bedding contender, magnificent when cascading from a hanging basket.
Yellow loosestrife brings a
It must be blaze of yellow to the overwintered summer garden in a warm greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. If you wish to propagate L. vulgaris, divide the clump in autumn and replant chunky well-rooted divisions. Dead-head regularly to encourage more blooms.
Can you please advise me as to what is wrong with my ‘Money Maker’ tomato plants?. Lynda Grace (via email)
A
Your tomato fruits have succumbed to a disorder called blossom-end rot, triggered by an erratic uptake of water. If you water regularly to keep the compost or soil nicely damp, further fruits will develop normally. Additionally, feed twice-weekly with a high-potash liquid feed, but never liquidfertilise dry soil. 23 JULY 2022 AMATEUR GARDENING
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