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How to Grow and Care for Fuchsia Plants

Fuchsia

This plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant may not tolerate any direct sunlightThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditionsHummingbirds use this plant for food or shelterWhite flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plantA photograph is availableHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper

Fuchsia care is often determined by where you live and your climate, but in most circumstances
they can be treated in the same way you'd treat any other shade loving perennial.
Prism the Gnome Princess Fuchsias may be upright growing shrubs or they can be trailing plants growing in hanging baskets.
Unfortunately, most Fuchsias are only hardy to USDA zones 9-10,
but many of the upright species are hardy to zone 7.

Growing Requirements for Fuchsia Plants

The optimum growing temperature for Fuchsias is 75° during the day and 60° at night so in the hot, dry areas, your Fuchsia should be grown in full shade only, and provided with lots of water.
No matter where you live, it is helpful to provide additional water, and mist your Fuchsia plants daily during extremely hot periods.
In the cooler parts of the country, Fuchsias will tolerate almost full sun, but they would be happier with bright sun in the morning and light shade in the afternoon.
The soil should always be kept moist but never soggy.
Water daily if the weather is hot, every other day when its cooler.
Fuchsia's require a rich, well drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Feed your Fuchsias monthly with a complete, balanced fertilizer.

Fuchsia Growing Tips

You should remove spent flowers regularly to promote continued blooming.
Leave one or two to fruit on the plant if you'd like to collect the Fuchsia seeds.
Pinching the tips of your Fuchsia will create a much bushier plant.
Hardy Fuchsias should be pruned back hard in late winter.

Propagating Fuchsias

Fuchsias can be grown from seeds, which will germinate in 3-4 weeks if they are kept at 70-75 F.
Do not cover the seeds, because they require light for germination.
Fuchsias can also be propagated by softwood cuttings.
Use tip cuttings with four or five pairs of leaves.
Strip the bottom two pair of leaves and put them in a 50/50 mix of sand and peat moss.
Keep the rooting medium moist and the cuttings lightly shaded.
The cuttings should be well rooted and ready for transplant to small pots in about 6-8 weeks.

Fuchsias
A Hardy, Upright Fuchsia in Bloom, Fuchsia arborescens A Bright 'Blue Satin', Hanging Fuchsia A variegated Fuchsia triphylla named Firecracker


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