Growing Fuschias- advice please?

I love fuschias even though they're not scented. I have a few of the large American ones that are in all the catalogues in spring, I love their Walt Disney colours and overblown size. Mine tend to have quite brittle growth, not up to carrying flowers the size they grow. Any advice? I've been trying to grow them since I got the greenhouse, and they overwintered well, but as I say suffer from spindly growth.

 

I have a big pink purple one called "perries Jumbo" comes from a garden near us that often comes up with hardy versions of non hardy stuff, anyway this big fuschia survives my frost pocket outside. Its big but not very fancy and hods itseff up without any problem.

Only just showing now though - will photo it later if I remember.

 

With the american fuchsias the flowers can be a bit heavy for the stems - by nipping out the growing tips, or spindly shoots, you can encourage more growth from the sides that will be stronger and bushier. However with the big flowered fuchsia, I find they are best grown in either baskets, where they can flop - or up against the edge of all pot.

 

Thanks both- I will have to be more severe about nipping them out, also pruning in winter. I hate cutting them back.
I only have a few hardy fuschias yet- after losing a couple this winter I am trying to get some large enought to survive outside this winter.

 

I find the smaller Fuschia has better flowers and a longer flowering period.
Mine is just starting to flower, love the detail...have a look and see what you think...



Look at all those buds...woo hoo can't wait for em all to flower...

 

If you can find it - try Fuchsia Magenallica Gracilis



It grows into a quite a sizable shrub, and drips flowers from late July right through to the frosts. Its totally hardy.

If you can't find it and want it, let me know I got a couple I've rooted from cuttings.

 

P of S, I have loads of smaller flowered fuschias as well, they are lovely.
Fran, My neighbour has one similar to yours, don't know what variety, it erupts from the box hedge in July and continues 'til the frost as you say. I've got a few cuttings of it.

 

Could I please have one of the cuttings it is beautiful

 

Send me a private message with your address and I'll send you one in a couple of weeks after I return from a trip.

Just remember to keep it on the dry side.

 

Fuschias are gorgeous :D

Liz - is it possible your overwintered fuschias are trying to grow too fast in the spring due to the warmth of the greenhouse? There's a gardencentre near me that starts them so early they wind up really leggy and weak.

(lacking a greenhouse I took the other extreme - mine are very sturdy, but no flowers in sight yet :( )

 

I don't think it's so much that they're trying to grow to fast as that I don't cut them back enough. My greenhouse last winter was only just about frost free so I really should cut them right back in winter, but I hate doing it.
I've got some that are only just beginning to flower, too.

 

I tend to grow the smaller flowered fuchsias too.
This years cuttings i multi plant so i can get a decent display.
Just got HAWKSHEAD this year,looking for Countess of aberdeen at the moment