Fuchsia are immensely popular outdoor plants throughout the English-speaking world. They were first imported from subtropical regions in South America and New Zealand into the United Kingdom in the late 18th century and have subsequently focused on extensive hybridizing.
Today, Fuchsias are available in a wide range of colors, with bell-like flowers blooming in white, pink, red, purple, or various combinations. They've also been bred as single, double, or semi-double flowers. And finally, they can be used in any number of situations, as trained standards, trailing baskets, or pots of colorful blooms. Long thought of as outdoor plants, indoor Fuchsias are often thrown away after their bloom is finished. In reality, they can be overwintered, and a new set of leaves and flowers will emerge next spring for another display.
Growing Conditions
Light: Fuchsia appreciate bright light but should not be subjected to full sun unless you can keep the roots adequately moist and cool. Many people use Fuchsia as shade plants, which is fine, but as long as they get enough water, they can handle more light than many people assume.
Water: During the growing season, keep the soil continuously moist. Plants dislike hot, dry roots—this will kill them. So make sure the roots are cool and moist at all times after the bloom is done, and cut watering back in preparation for over-wintering the plant.
Temperature: Fuchsia thrive at around 70˚F (21˚C) and dislike being hot for too long. During the overwintering period, reduce temperature to 50˚F (10˚C) or 60˚F (15˚C).
Soil: A rich, fast-draining mix is ideal.
Fertilizer: Fertilize abundantly during the growing season. They are heavy feeders, and many container growers feed their plants with a weak liquid fertilizer at every watering (weekly) during the growing season. Controlled-release pellets are also an excellent option.
Repotting
Repot your Fuchsia in the spring annually. These plants require a rich supply of organic material to flower and perform their best, so even if you're not stepping the plant up to a larger pot, you should repot it into a fresh pot with new soil. Add some controlled-release fertilizer pellets at repotting time to increase vigor.
Propagation
Fuchsia will propagate readily from leaf-tip cuttings. For best results, use a rooting hormone. After taking cuttings, leave the plants in a bright place with high humidity and keep the soil moist but not soaked. New growth should emerge within a few weeks. Do not repot cuttings until they are established.
Grower's Tips
Fuchsia make excellent houseplants because they are well adapted to growing in shadier conditions. In general, the more heat and light a Fuchsia is subjected to, the more careful you'll have to be about watering. In some cases, you might be watering every day. To prevent fungal problems and pests, be careful not to let your Fuchsia leaves touch the dirt. Even then, whiteflies can be a problem for Fuchsia and should be treated at the first sign of an infestation (look for white webs on the undersides of leaves). When treating for whitefly, make sure to spray the undersides of leaves thoroughly to disrupt their life cycle. To overwinter your Fuchsia, let the leaves drop off in spring, reduce watering, and move it to a cool and darkroom. New growth should appear in the spring.
Source: about.com
Links
- Back to genus Fuchsia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin