TIPS FOR GROWING FUCHSIA
Growing Beautiful Fuchsias
Fuchsias thrive in sheltered areas where temperatures are moderate (below 75) and humidity is high.
Give them plenty of light to keep them blooming heavily. Full morning sun, and afternoon sun filtered by shade cloth, lath or tree branches is ideal. Good air circulation is essential, but shelter fuchsias from strong winds, especially hot & dry winds which remove moisture too rapidly and cause wilting.
Keep fuchsia roots thoroughly moist, never soggy-wet nor bone dry. Use a potting mix which retains moisture but drains excess water. On hot days mist the foliage with clear water to cool leaves.
Feed fuchsias with Osmocote (14-14-14) or with a good water-soluble
fertilizer 20-20-20. We use the 20/20/20 at half
strength and apply it every 10 days or 2 weeks, which ever is best for you.
Watch for pests white flies, fuchsia gall mites, and rust. Get advise on pest control from your nurseryman or from Fuchsia Society members at monthly meetings.
Keep fuchsias blooming longer by picking off spent blooms and seed pods. Protect the roots from freezing temperatures in the fall and winter. Prune old plants quite heavily in the spring, around January 15th to February 15th for the Crescent City area. Then pinch off the tips of the new growth, after the second set of leaves to create new branches, continue to pinch until the plant is well filled out.
Monthly Programs: For more information attend our meetings at the Del Norte fair grounds on the east side of highway 101 in Crescent City. The third Wednesday of each month. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM however we have a pot luck at each meeting which starts about 6:00 Pm, just bring a pot, your plate and other hardware. We supply the coffee. We look forward to new members. Annual dues are $24.00 singles ; $32.00 couples, this includes membership in the American Fuchsia Society, plus the AFS Bulletin which is published semi-monthly. The Crescent City Fuchsia Club has a show and sale every year at the Del Norte fair which is normally around the last of July or the first of August.
General Calendar for care of your Fuchsias
Developed by the Crescent City branch of the American
Fuchsia Society. The following is a general guideline for the care of Fuchsias.
For more detailed information E-mail your questions to either the American
Fuchsia
Society or to us (infofuchsia@ccfuchsia.net).
January: Shelter Fuchsias from weather and cold. Water lightly just enough to keep them moist. You can/should prune from the first of January to the middle of February. Spray plants with dormant spray (Volk Oil) after pruning.
February/March: Check pot for plants that are root bound if so "pot up" or trim roots back about 20% on sides and about 25% on the bottom.
March-April: When new growth starts to show
start fertilizing with your preferred fertilizer. Also, when
new growth has two or more sets of leaves start your pinching, water just enough
to keep
the plant moist. Move out into well lighted area with good air circulation.
Not into direct sunshine as this will burn/dry out the plants. Pot up well
rooted plants as required.
CAUTION
Don't fertilize a plant that is dry. Water good and then fertilize the next day.
May: Continue to pinch, fertilize and lightly water. Spray every two weeks with Ortho's Orthene or Orthenex garden spray to control mites. start potting up your small started plants as required.
June: Stop pinching beginning this month.
Continue to fertilize and water more frequently to insure they don't dry out.
Start looking at your plants and select the one(s) you will enter in the Fuchsia
Show. Watch for rust
and mites, Spray as required
July: Remove spent (old) blooms and seed pods watch for Fuchsia Mites. Continue to feed and water your plants. Clean plants and pots getting them ready to go to the Fair.
August: Same as July and enter your best plants in the show.
September: Continue to water and fertilize, take fall cuttings (after the cool weather) continue to remove spent blooms and seedpods.
October: Harden off the plants for winter by cutting back on water and fertilizer. Leave the seed pods on, as they help the plant to harden off.
November: Cut down of your water, just enough to keep the plant moist. Stop fertilizing, except for your young starter plants. Move the plants under cover and protect from the cold weather.
December: Continue Fuchsia protection and water sparingly.