Delphi Valley

How to Care for your Fuchsia Basket

Hang or plant your fuchsia in a semi-shaded area. They prefer cooler temperatures and morning sun is perfect for a fuchsia basket. Sun exposure can change during the season as the sun becomes higher during summer. Make sure the sun will not be reaching your basket especially during the hottest part of the late spring and summer.

You can recognize overexposure to the sun by examining the leaves. Sun scorch will make the leaves look a light shade, sometimes almost white where the sun has damaged the leaf. The plant will also wilt even though the roots are moist.

Maintain Moisture: The best way to water your fuchsia basket is to slightly lift the basket, and if the basket feels very light, water until the water drips through the hole or holes at the bottom. Don't wait until the plant wilts, but don't give water every day. Let the plant get to the "light" stage so that air can permeate the soil along with the moisture to keep the roots healthy. Fuchsias can become waterlogged and it kept too wet can wilt and die almost overnight.

Fertilize regularly: Every 2 weeks is a good standard. Fuchsias need a great deal of nutrition, especially nitrogen. Use a quality water soluble fertilizer and make sure the plant is never starving for nutrients.

Deadhead your fuchsia regularly: Each flower on a fuchsia produces a seedpod at the base of the flower. Eventually the flower will be spent and fall off. The green seedpod starts to enlarge and if left on the plant, will begin to change color and darken. Never allow the seedpods to get to this stage. Once a week or so, pick off the green seedpods. When the pods ripen, this can signal the plant that it has completed its job in nature and does not need to produce flower anymore. Keep the plant thinking it has to produce flowers and its job is not even close to being done.

Later in the season limit watering and application of fertilizer so the fuchsia plant will prepare for wintering. It will begin to store the nutrients it needs to get it through the winter.

Before first frost, you will notice your fuchsia has pretty much quit blooming and is starting to look a little haggard. Cut the plant back to about 8"-10". Make sure you leave a few leaves.... not just stems. Store your basket in a cool, well lit area that is free from frost. A well lit garage, storage room can be utilized. It must be cool, not indoors or over 45 degrees. This is to keep the plant dormant until next spring. Water very sparingly. A good rule of thumb is every holiday during the winter (about once a month).

Early the following spring, if you have been successful in overwintering your fuchsia you will begin to see small green buds of leaves that will begin to grow from the stems. This is the time to remove the container to expose the roots and soil. Gently work the soil away from the roots, but only remove the soil that freely falls away with gentle movement. Re-pot the plant in new soil and water in with a water soluble fertilizer mixed with water.

Move the re-potted fuchsia outside in as much sun as possible. You will need to watch for frost and bring your plant into the garage or house any nights that are going do drop below freezing. The next morning move your fuchsia outside into the light once again. By the end of April, you should start limiting the amount of sun your fuchsia is receiving. The days get longer and warmer and the afternoon sun can quickly become too much for your plant. Move it into its final summer spot in no more that morning sun or late afternoon sun.

If you have any questions about our products, or need some help I am always available by email. Please feel free to email me and I will be happy to help you with any of your concerns.