dying Fuschia

[jmandeville]

I am not experienced with plants, I received a Fuschia for Mothers Day and I love it. I have kept alive since May on my indoor porch. All of a sudden the leaves are falling off like crazy and there are no new buds.There is still a couple of flowers, so I looked closely at the leaves on the plant and there are little red bugs and what looks like cobwebs going from leave to leave. The bugs are only on one side of the plant. The other side has little white stuff, that looks like cotton swabs!! I have no idea what to do, PLEASE HELP!!!

[Newt]

Hi Jmandeville,

Sounds like you have mealy bugs and spider mites.* These pests often attack stressed plants.* I suspect your plant may be rootbound and need a larger pot.* You can chek for this after you have sprayed the first time.* Here's how to repot your plant.* Use a pot that is 2" larger.
http://www.ourgardengang.com/containerpotting.htm

For the spider mites (probably the red spider mite is what you have) and the mealy bugs you can use insecticidal soap.* You can purchase it or make your own.* Spray every 7 days until they are gone.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/hom...idal-soap.html

Spider mites:
http://woodypest.ifas.ufl.edu/mites.htm

Mealy bugs:
http://www.pdis.org/ImageLibrary/Ima...ia=mealy%20bug

Newt

[jmandeville]

Hi Newt, thank you for replying. I got some spray and the bugs stayed away for 3 or 4 days and then they came back. I sparyed again on the 7th day, but I think it is dead. Almost all the leaves are gone and there was one bud but it fell off today! I am going to wait a few days and see if it looks any better. If it does then I will try to replant it. Thanks again.

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* You don't say what type of spray you used so it's difficult to say if it will work for the pests you have.* You might want to cut back the dead stems and see if it sprouts again from the roots.* Give it a couple of weeks to show growth.

Newt

[jmandeville]

The stuff I got is by Ortho, called Rose and Flower Insect Killer. It did list the two bugs that you had said and like 100 other ones. I just cut off the dead stems, there isn't much left. Also, the dirt is still moist and I haven't watered it in like 3 or 4 days. I only would water it every two days when it was alive , but now it seems as if it is not even soaking up the water. I was getting all the dead leaves out after I cut it back and it seems like the roots are*sticking out the top of the dirt. *I think it does need to be replanted, should I bother? It looks pretty dead!! I live in Mass, it gets pretty cold here in the winter. My freind said she had a Fuschia, she kept in the basement over winter and it never came back once the winter was over. So, I am not sure if it is worth it to replant it, I don't have any of the materials I would need. What do you think? :)Thanks!!

[Newt]

You are correct, planting it in the ground at this point isn't going to help and it won't winter over outdoors anyway.* I do think I now know what went wrong with your plant.* Fuschia likes to dry between waterings and you said, "...the dirt is still moist and I haven't watered it in like 3 or 4 days. I only would water it every two days when it was alive , but now it seems as if it is not even soaking up the water."*

You were probably overwatering just enough so the plant was slowly dying.* Then the weakened plant attracted the pests.

Then you said, "I was getting all the dead leaves out after I cut it back and it seems like the roots are sticking out the top of the dirt."*

It sure does sound like it's rootbound.

"I think it does need to be replanted, should I bother? It looks pretty dead!!"

It would be good practice if you want to give it a try.* Use a pot that is 2" larger.* You can measure from top to bottom or across the top.* Here's how to repot and check the roots.* You want to find nice white roots that aren't mushy or soft.
http://www.ourgardengang.com/containerpotting.htm

This site will give you an idea of what a rootbound plant looks like and what you can do.*
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=70

As far as the spray goes, what you bought is strong and I wouldn't use it, especially on a houseplant where I would have to breathe in the fumes. It is not intended for indoor use so I hope you sprayed outdoors.* Use disposable latex gloves when repotting as I'm thinking you probably sprayed the soil as well.* Here's the Material Safety Data Sheet.
http://www.scotts.com/media/media/pd...t%20Killer.pdf

The recipe I gave you for insecticidal soap is organic and won't hurt you.* You can also purchase it as well already made up.

Newt

[greeness]

[align=left]Fuchsias are notoriously temperamental, and of course, spider mites and such don't help. I would try an insecticidal soap product to get rid of the pests.*The plant itself probably needs more humidity; it may benefit from regular misting once you get rid of the bugs. I never did manage to grow a fuchsia that lasted longer than two or three months. Good luck.[/align]
[align=left]*[/align]