How To Care For Fuchsia Plant: Gardening Tips & Advice

This ultimate guide on fuchsia plant care guide will help you in growing and caring for your fuchsia plant. Get to know about potting mix, propagation methods, sunlight, watering, fertilizers, etc. requirements for growing this alluring flowering plant.

Fuchsia can easily grow in places where there is good amount of moisture in air and the temperature is relatively cool.

Introduction

Fuchsia is not merely a name of a flowering plant but is a genus that consist of shrubs and small trees. And in the world there are around 110 species of Fuchsia. Shrubs belonging to this genus can grow up to 13 feet tall while small tree can grow up to 49 feet tall.

Flowers of Fuchsia have pendulous teardrop shape and the tropical species produces flower all year. While the temperate species flowers during summer and autumn. Flowers of Fuchsia can vary from red to purple in colour.

Now let’s start learning about caring tips for fuchsia plant.

Fuchsia Plant Care Guide

Growing Season

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You can start planting fuchsia from spring to early summer season. They continue to grow well from spring to fall. USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 7 are ideal to grow this alluring flowering plant. They can grow in tropical as well as in temperate regions depending on species.

Potting Mix

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Fuchsia loves to grow well in well drained soil with good moisture holding capacity that is rich in organic matter. You can prepare ideal potting mix by mixing 40% organic compost + 30% cocopeat + 30% perlite.

Mix them thoroughly and add the prepared mixture in the growing pot.

Selection Of Pot

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Most gardeners love growing fuchsia in hanging pots, and believe me, fuchsia look really awesome in hanging pots. Select medium to large pots (12 to 16 inches size) with drainage holes at the bottom to grow fuchsia plant. Always ensure that drainage holes are present at the bottom of the pot.

How To Propagate Fuchsia?

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You can propagate fuchsia from seeds and stem cuttings during spring to early summer season. I prefer growing them from stem cuttings for best results.

For propagation take 4 inches stem cutting from from the plant. Remove the leaves from the bottom end of the cutting. Dip the bottom end in the rooting hormone for few seconds. In a small pot fill 2/3^rd of cocopeat and 1/3^rd of perlite.

Plant the bottom end of the cuttings in this propagation pot and apply water. Keep the propagation pot little moist and in partial shade but not soggy. Wait for three to four weeks and you will notice new growth in your cuttings.

Sunlight

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Fuchsia plant loves bright indirect sunlight for better growth, development and blooming. However they can also sustain well in low sunlight conditions, but bright indirect sunlight is perfect for their light needs.

Avoid keeping your fuchsia plant under bright direct sunlight as it can sometime damage your plant. If you are looking for more such shade loving flowering plant then gerbera can also be a good choice.

Watering

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Fuchsia loves moist soil but hates soggy soil. Do not let your soil remain constantly dry for longer duration. Keep checking the soil and whenever it feels dry apply water in the pot to maintain adequate amount of moisture.

If you live in dry climatic condition, then you will need to mist your plant with water periodically.

Fertilizers

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Heavy feeding is necessary during the blooming season i.e. from spring to fall. Apply one to two handful of organic compost along with banana peel fertilizer once after every 14 days. If you are looking for inorganic options then you can spray NPK (10:20:10) half teaspoon mixed in 1 litre of water.

Pruning

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Removing old and diseased branches time to time is necessary for healthy growth of fuchsia. It will also promote new branches and flowering in your plant, hence do not miss out this important step.

Pests & Diseases

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Pests such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, etc. can sometime cause harm to your plant. You can use neem oil spray during early mornings to control these pests. Diseases such as root rot, leaf spot can damage your plant.

You can prevent root rot by avoiding excess watering. For controlling leaf spots you can use any organic fungicide.

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