Fuchsias originated in South America and New Zealand. There are over a 100 different species of fuchsias. The flowers set on in midsummer and continue until the middle of fall. When working at the greenhouse, this was the one flower I loved. The flowers come in a wide variety of two-toned colors. I was always partial to the ones that had dark purple in them. The flowers remind me of dangly earrings.
In the United States, fuchsia can be grown outdoors as a tender perennial in zones 10 and 11. In zones below 10, fuchsia is grown indoors as a houseplant. Some gardeners choose to grow the fuchsia as an annual flower.
If you want to grow fuchsia as a houseplant, there are a few tips that will help ensure a longer living plant.
Repot the Fuchsia
If you’re fuchsia came in a small pot you may want to transplant it. The best time to do this is in the spring or summer. This will give your fuchsia a change to become established in its new pot before the fall or winter when the fuchsia is in dormancy or its rest period. Many fuchsias are grown in a hanging basket which allows the stems to hang over the side of the pot and cascade down.
Fill the pot with well-drained potting soil until it is about a third full. You can buy potting soil at most garden supply stores, or you can mix your own by combining equal amounts of compost, peat moss and perlite.
Once you remove the fuchsia flowers from the container, take a look at the root ball. If you see any roots growing around the root ball, gently tease them away from the sides of the root ball with your fingers. If the roots are left to grow in this condition, they will continue to grow around the root ball and choke the plant to death. If no roots are visible, loosen the sides of the rootball with your fingers so the roots can penetrate through.
Insert the root ball into the center of the pot. Check the position of the top of the root ball. It should be a fourth to a half-inch below the rim of the pot. Adjust the soil beneath the root ball until the height is right.
Fill in around the root ball with potting soil and gently firm the soil in place. Do not bury the root ball and deeper than it was originally growing. This can cause the stems to rot and/or disease to set in.
Watering the Fuchsia
You will want to give your fuchsia a good drink of water. Water the fuchsia until the soil is thoroughly dampened. During the summer when the fuchsia is outdoors, check the soil every day to ensure the soil is moist. When you water, always try to water in the morning. When you take your plant indoors in the fall, cut back on watering and check the soil twice a week. Only water when the top most soil has started to dry. Fuchsias die most often because of overwatering.
Find The Right Growing Site
Fuchsia grows best in a window or area that receives indirect sunlight such as a window facing west or east. If you place the fuchsia in a south window, have a curtain to help shelter it from the sun. When outdoors they like the morning sun r sun dappled shade, but the root system has to be kept moist.
Fertilize Fuchsias
Fuchsia needs some liquid all-purpose fertilizer formulated for tomatoes. During the spring, summer and fall months when it is actively growing and blooming. Give your plant fertilizer once every one to two weeks. Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter because the plant is dormant and is not growing. No matter which fertilizer you use, always mix and follow label directions.
Always examine your fuchsia for spider mites and other pests. This was a problem I had with mine and if left untreated, they will kill your plant. At the first signs of these pests, spray the plant with an insecticidal soap. You can purchase insecticidal soap at most garden centers, online or in catalogs.
Pruning
Late in the fall, prune the fuchsia laving 4 to 8 inches of the plant remain above the soil level. Fuchsias bloom on new growth, so by doing this, you will encourage new growth with more flowers. In the spring when the fuchsia begins growing and the stems have at least 4 pairs of leaves, pinch the tips of the stems back. The fuchsia will bush out and that means more flowers.
Harden Un The Fuchsia
Grow your fuchsia outdoors during the warm spring and summer months. Gradually move the plants outdoors when the weather is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But don’t take them out and leave them. You need to harden them into the season first. Take the plant outdoors for an hour the first day. Place them in an area that has sun and wind protection. Increase the outdoor time by an hour each day over the next 7 to 10 days.
If you follow these steps or tips, you can have better success on growing a healthy fuchsia flower. Fuchsias need constant care and a lot of attention if they are to live and thrive.
