Feeding - 3 questions from a newbie

As a further note with haning baskets I prefer to use osmocote granuals (slow release) as oposed to liquid feed.

 

If it's any consolation I feed my Fuchsias every watering at �¼ strength, same as the experts.

This is with chempack 2 a high Nitogen fertiliser even this time of year.

Trevor

 

Bluedun, in spring you should change that to a high potash feed if you want better flowers. And, to be honest, all you are doing at present is putting the plants at risk.

 

Sorry David but I dissagree we always grow our Fuchsias like this, here is a photo of our anual show, no shortage of flowers here. Only time we get shortage of flowers is when it gets too hot.



Trevor

 

Beautifull Fuchsias Bluedin ...

 

Thank you all for your help.
I will try the twice a day week mix me thinks.

 

I stand corrected, but all you are doing by continually using a high nitrogen feed is to enhance the foliage without feeding the roots and flowers. The roots need phosphates to enable them to maintain the top growth that the nitrogen is producing. Also if you introduced potash to the plants imagine the flowers you could produce.

 

I've been missing out here, only just found this thread.
I go with pro, osmacote saves a lot of hassle, unless of course you like hassle. :D

I like the Chempak feeds as well, there are all kinds, for differing situations and types of plant.
I tend to think the old "potash" thing is a bit overdone for feeding, and you can over do it at the expense of the plant.
High nitrogen feeds do contain potash and phosphate, and in many cases if you feed the leaves the plant will look much better for it and eventually flower better as well, I think.
A balance is good, I reckon.

 

With Fuchsias the Nitrogen gives us good growth to shape the plant (ie stopping). After the last stop a single flower fuchsia will take about 8 to 10 weeks to flower depending on cultivar, and a double will take about 10 to 12 weeks.

For years now we have grown our Fuchsias for shows and had no problems.

Trevor