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A Fuchsia Calendar

Fuchsias are easy rewarding plants to grow but a few timely, monthly reminders will help you to get the best out of your plants.

January	Look over resting plants and make sure they do not completely dry out. The days begin to lengthen and young, growing plants from autumn struch cuttings will now perk up as the light quality slowly improves.
February	Start up dormant plants by light mist spraying in the morning to encourage new growth to break from old wood. Prune old wood to shape the plants and re-pot into fresh gritty compost. New growth will benefit from a little gentle heat. Young plants in 2½ inch pots may need potting on into 3½ pots.
March	This is the month for a glut of cuttings. Those taken now will make reasonably sized plants flowering in August and September. Young plants from 3½ inch pots can now be used to make up baskets. Five plants is a good number for a 14 inch basket. Young plants trained as standards will need regular tying in and potting on to prevent them getting pot bound, otherwise they will flower prematurely. Spray plants on a fortnightly basis with an insecticide.
April	Temperatures now rise sharply under glass and some form of shading is essential. Keep pinching out the growing tips of the plants to encourage bushiness. Keep up a regular feeding programme from now on, with quarter strength balanced liquid feed at every watering. Make sure greenhouses and conservatories are well ventilated. All dead and weak wood on hardy fuchsias can be cut down and plants fed and mulched.
May	Keep potting on and pinching out the growing tips of shoots, remembering that it takes 9 - 12 weeks for flowers to open. Remember to set some plants aside for displays and plant sales in the summer.
June	The first flowers are now appearing. As flower buds form it is a good idea to change to a higher potash liquid feed to encourage more and more flowers. All fuchsias to be planted outside should be in position at the start of this month. If plants are to be left in the ground over the winter, plant them so that the crown is 4 - 5 inches below the surface of the soil. This will give the crown protection during the winter. Keep all plants well watered, particularly baskets and hanging pots, which will dry out rapidly. Damp down paths and staging in greenhouses in the early morning to create a humid atmosphere.
July	Regularly remove seed pods as flowers fade to encourage plants to continue flowering. Shows and displays will soon be here and it is very satisfying to have one or several of your plants feature in the display. So join in any events that your society may be organising.
August	Plants are at their best this month and next, and will benefit from a general check over each day. Spray immediately if pests are visible. In greenhouses or conservatories with a minimum temperature or 5 - 7°C (40 - 45°F) during the winter, this is a good time to take soft tip cuttings. Cut back some plants which are past their flowering best to ecourage new shoot growth.
September	Plants outside will relish the moist autumnal evenings and will look at their best. Continue to take cuttings. These will make superb plants for shows and displays next year.
October	Frosta can be expected this month. After the first slight frosting, lift plants which are to be over-wintered under cover and strip off their leaves. Fumigate greenhouses to ensure sterile conditions for over wintering the plants. Pot up young, rooted cuttings into 2½ inch pots of good multi-purpose compost.
November	All dormant plants should now be under cover and watering reduced to a minimum. Inspect dormant plants on a regular basis and cover with fleece for frost protection if they are over-wintered in a cold greenhouse.
December	A quiet month but a good one to order new varieties from a reputable nurseryman for growing next year. I hope these hints are of some use to enable you to have a lot of enjoyment growing your fuchsias.

Reproduced with permission.
Original Copyright: Gareth Davies (Chairman) Welsh Affiliated Fuchsia Societies.