Exotic Fuchsia Can Handle Even Frost

Exotic Fuchsia Withstands Even Frost

Fuchsia (lat. Fuchsia) is a plant belonging to the evening primrose family (lat. Onagraceae). This species contains countless varieties with beautiful flowers. Fuchsias are very popular plants among growers, decorating every windowsill or garden from spring to autumn. Their pendulous flowers come in countless colors and shapes. We can also grow fuchsias as standards, as shrubs, and shape them in various ways.

Fuchsia originates from the humid rainforests of tropical Central America, from the Amazon valley, and was discovered by early conquistadors in the 17th-18th century. Modern-day plant collectors often undertake expeditions to these very places. After growing your first fuchsia, you'll quickly fall under the spell of their flowers and fragrance and become one of these conquistador-collectors, wanting to have as many plants as possible in your "collection," ahem, planter.

Let's Introduce Some Fuchsia Species

There are approximately 10,000 fuchsia species. The flowers of individual species are distinguished as single, semi-double and double, as well as trailing, semi-trailing, trailing tubular and upright. Color ranges from white through pink and red to purple. Generally, we divide fuchsias into three groups:

• upright fuchsias
• trailing fuchsias
• triphylla fuchsias

Fuchsia (lat. Fuchsia boliviana) is an exotic plant originating from Peru. It is an evergreen shrub of larger stature reaching 2-4 m in height. It's not demanding to grow, thriving in shade or partial shade. It's frost-hardy down to -4°C. The plant blooms in late summer. The fruits are edible berries about 2.5 cm in size, gently sweet with a pleasant fragrance.

Fuchsias for your collection to showcase colors, shapes and your growing skills: Fuchsia Royal Velvet - standard fuchsia, Fuchsia miniflora - with flowers smaller than 4 mm, Fuchsia Magellanica - hardy fuchsia for outdoor locations, large-flowered fuchsias of various names with flowers like exotic butterfly wings - you'll see for yourself how many varieties are available on the market.

Growing Fuchsias

Choosing a Location

Choosing the right location is the cornerstone for growing fuchsias, so we can enjoy their flowers for as long as possible. Fuchsias should not be exposed to direct sun; sunlight is needed, but do not expose fuchsias to midday sun. The optimal placement for fuchsias is south, southeast, or as a last resort southwest. The location should be protected from direct wind. Air that is too dry causes leaf drop. We place them in outdoor locations after May 15th to avoid the risk of late frosts. If we want to place them outdoors earlier - already in April, it is recommended to wrap the planter with black non-woven fabric. Fuchsia is not typically an indoor plant; it prefers fresh air on a balcony or in a conservatory. It is a beautiful addition to pergolas and outdoor seating areas. Besides fresh air, it also benefits from morning dew or planned misting during the day. Due to its origin, fuchsia thrives at temperatures of 18-24°C and higher air humidity.

How to Care for Fuchsias

Substrate Selection - Fuchsias prefer well-draining substrate. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, similar to the soil in their homeland. A suitable substrate is a mixture of peat, bark, and humus. Also suitable is a substrate made of two parts soil, one part peat, and one part sand. It depends on what is more accessible to you. Each year we can change the substrate depending on how the fuchsias are thriving. Or we can use commercially packaged substrate for balcony or indoor plants mixed from exactly this combination. Plants do well in ceramic planters; if you are growing in plastic planters, don't forget to add ceramic shards to the bottom.

Watering - Fuchsias are among plants that are demanding when it comes to watering. If you overwater the plant, there is a risk of root rot. If the plant dries out, it will drop buds and leaves. So be careful with watering. Dose it in portions early in the morning or in the evening, preferably with settled water. We let the substrate dry out slightly; we don't keep it too moist. In spring and autumn months, we don't overwater the plant. During hot summer days, we mist the plant.

Fertilizing - if we are repotting the plant, we wait 14 days with fertilizing until the plant fully adapts. Like all ornamental and flowering plants, fuchsia is also demanding in terms of nutrients. We provide the necessary nutrients with commonly available fertilizers. If we are fertilizing plants in bloom, we can water with very diluted fertilizer every day. Fertilizer with high iron content is suitable. We stop fertilizing in September so the plants have time to mature before overwintering. Never apply fertilizer to overly dry substrate.

Pests - the most common pests include whiteflies, aphids, thrips and spider mites. Plant dehydration contributes to their proliferation. These pests can be easily eliminated with commonly available sprays. It's important to alternate the sprays. At the end of summer, we can treat the plants against fungal diseases.

Propagation - Fuchsias are propagated by seeds, division, offsets or cuttings. Their propagation is always successful. Fuchsias can be propagated throughout the entire growing season. The plant should already have woody shoots, i.e. from the end of August until overwintering. Cuttings from non-flowering plants root better. Cuttings 10-12 cm long should be left to root in a dark container at room temperature. The cuttings will root within three weeks. These rooted cuttings are then transplanted into prepared substrate.

Maintaining Flowering - if we want the plant to bloom fully, we remove faded flowers and fruits, which weaken the plant.

Overwintering - Fuchsias need a period of vegetative dormancy. We prepare the plant for overwintering by pinching back its tips and removing its leaves. They overwinter at a temperature of 6-10°C. During overwintering, water 1-2 times per month. During February, increase watering and in May, repot the plant. Cut back its roots significantly. New shoots will appear very quickly on the plant, which are suitable for cuttings. This way we can not only use the plant to grow new plants, but also shape it through cutting. Some fuchsia species are frost-hardy, specifically the species - Fuchsia magellanica.

Final Advice - repot the plant into fresh substrate every year. Don't be afraid to prune the plant thoroughly during overwintering.

We wish you much success in growing Fuchsias and planters full of abundant and exotic flowers.