Caring for a Fuschia Plant
Fuchsia plants have a reputation as being difficult to care for. This denizen of the tropical realms has given even more experienced gardeners the occasional flutter of concern, but like with any plant, the fuchsia plant simply has its preferences. Knowing the basics of how to care for the gorgeous tropical masterpiece often termed "Ladies Eardrops" for its habit of growing upside down in hanging baskets like a dangle earring will make all the difference in a successful cultivation experience for new and experienced fuchsia enthusiasts alike. Following these simples steps to care for the delicately beautiful fuchsia plant will ensure success.
Choosing The Right Location
Fuchsia plants can be grown successfully anywhere with adequate sunlight but warmish temperatures at best. Fuchsia plants will wither and fail to thrive in excessive heat so finding the right location is key. Fuchsia plants can thrive in the free soil or in window boxes, pots, or hanging baskets indoors or outdoors. Because of the fuchsia plant's sensitivity to heat, when planting outdoors select a shadier area and watch the plant carefully to chart its progress. Small adjustments in location can be made depending on how well the plant thrives. For indoor locations a spot with direct sunlight, like a window box, can be ideal, as long as temperatures do not rise above approximately 85 degrees in summer with humidity or 65 degrees without, or drop below 45 degrees in winter.
Planting Fuchsia
Fuchsia plants can be obtained from seeds, cuttings, or existing plants obtainable from commercial garden or landscape centers or online. It is best to start from cuttings or small plants to minimize stress to the plant as it attempts to get used to its new environment in your home. Plant seeds or plants in a mixture of soil and sand that has excellent drainage. Fuchsia plants need frequent watering but cannot tolerate standing water around their roots, so drainage is critical for success. It is best to water each morning especially for plants located in sunnier, warmer spots, and to water fuchsia at the same time each day to minimize stress to growing plants. Fertilize growing fuchsia at a minimum of once every two weeks.
Caring For Fuchsia Plants
Fuchsia plants require adequate moisture and nourishment regularly, and the right location in terms of sunlight exposure and temperature, to thrive. Beyond this, there is not much that a fuchsia plant will require other than occasional pruning and treatment for any pests or diseases that the plants may be exposed to. Fuchsia plants are frequent targets for garden pests such as spidermite and white fly, which can be treated with commercially available pesticide sprays or soaps. Isolate affected plants as best as possible away from healthy plants, and remove diseased, damaged, or dead foliage during treatment. One trick to keeping fuchsia plants well hydrated when temperatures climb is to put them in a double pot system and pack in a layer of moss in between to hold in moisture. Water both moss and plants to maximize the impact of regular watering.
