FUCHSIA'S - 2015

After my little mistake with the runner beans (we won't say any more about that!!) I am going to check here first! Can I plant my Fuschia Boliviana seeds now pls? And if so, do I cover the seeds with soil, or do they need light to germinate? I won't even open the bag till I get some advice!

 

Hiya Lynda

I would think that you would need to get them in ASAP if you're to stand any chance of getting a flowering plant this year. My guess is that they will need a covering of MPC, maybe 1/4"? I've never grown them from seed, so I can't speak with any great level of confidence, so hopefully someone can add more.

 

Thank you Freddy x could I just ask what MPC is please? Thank you.

 

NO!! I know now - multi purpose compost! Yay! I'm Monty Don

 

And there was me thinking it was Milk Protein Concentrate ... no wonder I'm hopeless with seeds

 

My 'Cecile' turned up yesterday, supplied by 'Babyplants'. Smallish plugs, but good root system, and looking like they want to grow. All potted up into 3"(ish) pots using MPC. There are however 2 plants that have some purple shading to some of the leaves, not something I like to see.

 

One of the best I've found is "cascade". I had one in a 12' basket last year and it filled it. I brought it into my spare (unheated) bedroom and it only stopped flowering a month ago when I cut it back.

 

Clay Lane Nurseries in Surrey sell them. Good size cuttings in pots, not plugs.

 

Personally I would hold off until late April as no matter when you sow them (or had sown them) they still will not flower this year. Absolute earliest it will bloom is in the second season of growth although the third season would be more realistic.

Mine were surface sown.

 

How rare is my new Fuchsia?

I've just received a Fuchsia Crassistipula. It's on the internet/in books but not in any catalogues I've seen (I was sent it as a substitute ).I was wondering if anyone else has one.
The first picture is of my plant the second is off the internet of the flowers.

 

Thank you so much x

 

First flower buds are now forming on my Fuchsia excorticata................

 

How old is this one, Do they take long to get to flower as this is a species that grows as a tree isn't it?

 

Well I've bitten the bullet and planted the plug plants in troughs outside. They're down the side of the house which is well sheltered, but I have ordered one of those mini greenhouses for them. They'll be okay outside hopefully until it arrives and if it looks like frost I'll cover them in fleece.