fuschia cuttings dying

I have nursed my 100 fuschia cuttings all through the winter and now they are all losing their leaves - only have to touch the plants and they drop off - help!

 

spray with water, i dont know the prob tho

 

You don't say how long your cuttings were established before winter but have a good look round the base of your plants for any green leaf buds. I've had them resemble dead sticks before yet they have come back again once the warmth and longer days get them going. Don't have them too wet if they are still dormant, just enough to stop the roots drying out. Although a frost will usually decimate the top of a half hardy fushia, providing the rootball doesn't get frozen they normally recover.

You could also lift one out of its pot/container/whatever and check the roots for signs of rot, disease or vine weevil etc. If all seems OK then have a wee bit patience and they will probably surprise you soon enough.

 

If you very gently tug the cutting, if there is even a slight resistance, then it has roots, and they're holding - so leave well alone!! As Frogesque says - patience!! :D

 

In a few weeks you'll have new growth I bet, if they have gone this long without dropping their leaves they are probably ok. It's no bad thing anyway as the old leaves can harbour pests i.e red spider, aphids and whitefly.

 

Mmmmm - how often are you watering them. One of the biggest problems with fuchsias cutting or plants overwintering, expecially cutting, is over watering. They really do like it dry over winter as far as watering is concerned. My tryphilla, which is starting into leaf has been given two light sprinkles, since end of November, when went under glass.

 

Thank you so much everyone - I have been down and had a really good look and I think that - as you say - with a little patience they will be OK. I think I have been watering a little too often!