The wild forms of the fuchsia, which is so popular with us as an ornamental plant, originally come from the rainforests of Central and South America, but have been increasingly cultivated in European gardens since the beginning of the 18th century. Many of the over 100 different species and more than 12,000 varieties have been bred specifically for the garden or balcony and are therefore much less sensitive to sun or cold than their predecessors were. In the following article you will find the most important information about fuchsia care.
How do I properly care for my fuchsias?
Optimal fuchsia care includes regular watering so that the root ball remains moist, fertilizing about every 3-4 weeks with liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, mulching for “cool” roots, annual repotting in spring and pruning of woody shrubs.
Should you water fuchsias?
As typical rainforest plants, fuchsias love moisture, which is why the root ball should never dry out. The plants also like it when you spray them all over from time to time - too low humidity only causes buds and flowers to dry out. Rainy but warm summers are ideal for fuchsias, then they thrive particularly well. In very hot and dry phases you should water at least twice a day. But even though fuchsias need moisture, they - like so many other plants - cannot tolerate waterlogging at all.
When and with what can I fertilize my fuchsias?
The richly flowering fuchsias are also heavy feeders, which is why they should be fertilized at least every three to four weeks during the growing season. A standard liquid fertilizer for flowering plants is sufficient for this (€14.00 on Amazon).
Is it useful to mulch fuchsias?
Since fuchsias prefer a moderately moist plant substrate and - especially if they are in a rather sunny location - "cool" feet, you should mulch the plants with bark mulch or similar. This not only prevents the soil from drying out, but also keeps the heat-sensitive roots cool.
When and how often should you transplant potted fuchsias?
Fuchsias in pots should be repotted once a year if possible, although the best time for this measure is spring. Use fresh, pre-fertilized substrate and make sure not to start regular fertilization until a few weeks later.
How to cut fuchsias correctly?
So that the woody shrubs do not become bare over the years, they should be cut back every year in early spring. Cut back diseased, wilted and dried parts of the plant generously, but without cutting too deeply into the wood. Over the course of the summer, dead shoots should also be removed.
Which pests or diseases are common in fuchsias?
Although fuchsias are considered quite robust, they are often attacked by pests or diseases - usually due to care errors or unfavorable weather. Animal infestations are mainly caused by bedbugs, spider mites and aphids; when it comes to diseases, gray mold rot, fuchsia rot and root rot caused by waterlogging and soil bacteria are predominant.
Fuchsias don't bloom - why is it?
If fuchsias don't want to bloom, there can be many reasons. However, it is usually due to insufficient fertilization and/or an unsuitable location.
Are fuchsias hardy?
There are specially bred, winter-hardy fuchsia varieties that still require winter protection. Non-hardy species and varieties, on the other hand, overwinter best in a cool, but frost-free place.
Tip
When fertilizing, the soil should be moist, but not dry - otherwise the roots cannot absorb the nutrients optimally and they risk burning.
