Fuchsia for the Future

As the holidays wind down and we snuggle in for the long, cold winters here in Maine, the lack of outdoor garden tasks makes us wish spring was approaching just a bit sooner. So once you have read your seed catalogues from cover to cover, why not pursue another garden calling?

A favorite gardening pastime is the preparation of annuals or tender perennials, which have temporarily become houseplants, to go back outside come spring. Fuchsias are considered to be an annual up in Maine, but can be grown year-round in Zone 4 with a little extra work.  It is best to start with a half-hardy fuchsia species like F. mangellanica, or a hybrid of the upright shrub.

Usually fuchsias are planted or placed outside in the spring after the threat of frost is gone, and will bloom almost continually from the spring through autumn.  In the summer, fuchsias have quite the reputation for being finicky; preferring filtered or indirect light, moist, well-drained soil and cool day and nighttime temperatures. These plants are quite particular and may not bloom if night temperatures rise above 65⁰F. Deadheading and weekly applications of a water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer will further encourage blooming.

While fuchsia will tolerate temperatures down to 41⁰F, it is important to bring them indoors after the first light frost of the season. During the winter, fuchsia craves a dormancy period in which the leaves fall, a natural progression in its life cycle. Cut the plant back by a third, and store in a frost-free, sheltered location such as an unheated basement, attached garage or greenhouse. It is important to reduce water significantly during this period, water only sparingly, just enough so that the soil never completely dries out.

In late winter or early spring it is time to bring the plant out of dormancy. Move the fuchsia to a spot with indirect light and where nighttime temperatures are still below 65⁰F. Begin watering your fuchsia so the soil is consistently moist and restart the 20-20-20 fertilizer regimen.

Fuchsias can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. Seed germination should begin in late winter and takes approximately 3 weeks. If seeds are started early enough and grown in warm conditions it should flower in its first year. On the other hand, propagation by cuttings is almost always guaranteed.

Softwood cuttings can be taken at any time of year and will usually root in 10-20 days. The nodal stem-tip, single node or an intermodal stem can all be used as cutting material. Semi-ripe cuttings should be taken from mid-summer to early autumn. The key to producing a good cutting specimen is to pinch out the new growth to a pair of leaves just above the last set of buds. Hardwood cutting are taken from late autumn to late winter.

When propagating by cuttings, take a 3-inch portion of the fleshy, growing tip of the plant and dip the base in a hormone rooting compound (optional), then insert into plug trays filled with a mixture of seed compost, sand and vermiculite. Be sure that none of the leaves touch either the compost or another plant.  Place uncovered seed trays on a heat mat or propagation bench that maintains a temperature of 64⁰F. Once the cuttings have rooted, pot them up and get ready for spring!

Fuchsias are known to symbolize good taste, which is bit apropos as anyone who plants, grows or just enjoys their lively and lovely colors obviously has some good taste of their own. So if the snow and chilly temperatures are keeping you bundled up indoors,  begin thinking about how you can brighten up your garden this spring  with some fuchsia. Start by preparing your plant and giving them that nice long dormancy period they are pining for. And get ready for the warmer weather by propagating some new fuchsias while you are at it!

I hope you enjoyed my first Down and Dirty Gardener article! Working on next month’s – it should be out the first week of February!