Fuchsias - 2016

Hi GG,

How do you prune your Hawkshead ? If it just has a few tall leggy branches, I would cut it back to about 6" and then pinch it out another twice so each branch grows into 4. It is however one that can grow very vigorous and can grow 6' plus.

Whiteknights Pearl is another F. Magellanica hybrid so should do well in the dappled sun.

The thing to remember with these hardy, shade loving Fuchsias is that they naturally send out long whippy growths which on other plants would be thought of as being spindly or forced. Many of these types can easily reach 12' or more if left untouched.

 

Ahhh, I didn't know this @Anthony Rogers so that makes a bit more sense about the way my ones look in the woodlandy bit. They are unpruned so far and as you say whippy looking. I shall cut them back as you suggest to 6inches. Thanks for that tip.

GG

 

Yes it is xColensoi.
Im going collecting them on the 18th April.
My late Father used to grow Fuchsia's and Clematis, thats were i think I get it from

 

I got 2 big trays of fuschias to overwinter for £2 each last autumn so I had them out to check on yesterday. Apart from storing them in a sheltered spot in the greenhouse and watering them a couple of times I've left them to it.
Pleased to say aside from a few Harry gray trailing which have had vine weevil (no sign of any now) they were all fine. I've potted on a couple, top dressed with fresh compost and given them a drink. Hopefully they'll start growing again soon. I'll be doing plenty more cuttings this year too.

 

Hi Woo,
Good afternoon Sir Owl,

I usually leave mine for about another month or so yet before doing any pruning.
Couple of reasons......
1) There still may be mire froats so the stems will offer some protection.
2) You don't know as yet where the new shoots will be coming from, you might prune all the live stems away and leave the dead ones.
3) Partly tied in with no 2, once it has green shoots you can judge the overall shape better.
4) You may decide to not prune at all ( just take out dead wood ) and therefore get a larger bush.

 

I think " mire froats " should be " more frosts ".

 

@Anthony Rogers & @Ian Taylor - it's nice to see the NZ species getting a look in!

 

I was going to ask the same question Anthony , I'll leave my Fuchsia pruning until after Easter. When there is no risk of mire froats

 

Hi Harry,

You owe me a pound please

I've got the copyright on " mire froats "

 

Pretty much the same as Roses Woo.

Just take out any dead wood or crossing branches. Then decide how high you want the branches to be and prune them just above a pair of nice shoots. Or, if you want it to grow back from the base again then you can cut it back to any shoots that are coming from the base or underground.

What's more important is to remember to remove all the growing tips around the beginning to the middle of May so you get a bushier plant. ( You could also do another pinching out about 2 or 3 weeks after that one as well ).

 

Hi Longk,

Is it you that's got a F. Perscandens ? I've received mine today and it's smaller than I thought. It looks like F. Procumbens .

 

Yes, the foliage is small on F.perscandens.