Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that consists mostly of shrubs or small trees. The first, Fuchsia triphylla, was discovered on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola about 1696–1697 by the French Minim monk and botanist, Charles Plumier.
Fuchsia are immensely popular outdoor plants throughout the English-speaking world. They were first imported from subtropical regions in South American and New Zealand into the United Kingdom in the late 18th century and have subsequently been the focus of extensive hybridizing. Today, there are fuchsia available in a wide range of colors, with the 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 fuchsia are often thrown away after their bloom is finished. In reality, they can be overwintered, and a new set of leaves and blooms will emerge next spring for another display.
Watering a fuchsia plant that is being overwintered is important, but a plant’s needs are minimal in winter. As a rule, watering twice during a dormant period is sufficient. Some growers recommend watering at a major holiday in a winter.
The ideal blend of soil for plant growth is called loam. Often referred to as topsoil or black dirt by landscape companies, loam is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt.
Prune branches back to a natural fork to avoid leaving unsightly stubs. Cuts bleed if pruned in late winter or early spring so pruning should only be done between mid-summer and early autumn.
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 continuously moist, but not soaked. New growth should emerge within a few weeks. Do not repot cuttings until they are established.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.
Fuchsia thrive at around 70°F and dislike being hot for too long. During the overwintering period, reduce temperature to 50-60°F.
Whether your potted plants are indoors or outdoors, proper drainage is an essential element to ensure they stay healthy.
