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I made the big leap and bough at fushcia at Paradise plants! I am going to try my hand at keeping it alive now! I know. In kapoho, I come crazy!
But we found a nice mostly shady spot near the drip edge of the deck. I put it back so the drips dont fall directly on it but miss it by about 6" till it gets bigger and can handle it.
Any other words of wisdom anyone can offer? I have had no luck in the far back past with them, but after 20 yrs I am going to try again!
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Mist and water them regularly, they really don't like getting dry. The leaves wilt when they are to hot or dry.
I had HUGE hanging baskets when we lived in Oregon, I overwintered them in a workshop. Some were over 10 years old when we left, and my daughter has 2 of them still going 6 years later.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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I got my start in gardening as a result of fuchsias.
I was living in Burbank, CA, when I noticed a hummingbird coming around the backyard, feeding on some oleander. I was entranced with the little guy, and went to the garden shop to find out what kind of flowers they like. Bought a fuchsia basket, hung it in the patio, he loved it. When that started to fade a little I got another. And I liked it as much as the hummer. Then another, etc. Soon there were a dozen of them.
The thing to remember about fuchsias is that their natural habitat is stream banks, so you have to keep them well watered, more so than almost anything else. They like their feet wet.
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I know this is probably a given... but with fushias deadhead, deadhead, deadhead. I used to have HUGE fushia baskets in Western WA each year, loved them.
Enjoy the day! Ann
Enjoy the day! Ann
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That's interesting that everyone is saying to keep the well watered. For me the major problems we have with fuchsias at the nursery is it being too wet for them. They are extremely susceptible to stem rot/root rot problems. Not that I think they should be allowed to dry out or anything. I just know they don't do to well when it rains alot.
Well, that's just my experience with them.
Fuchsias make me happy because they remind me of my grandparents. They had wonderful old shrubs -- back before the fuchsia gall mite showed up. They grow well in semi-shade when in warm climates, enjoy water and being misted.
The only species rated for Hawai'i cultivation that I could find is F. magellanaca, but that one is very susceptible to the mites.
Perhaps they do get root rot here.
I had fuchsia's in Oakland that were 65-70 years old, and I watered them a lot, year round, overhead and drip. That was heavy clay soil too.
They only bloom on new wood, so you prune them hard before the bloom season.
Good luck Cat ... I wouldn't expect them to like it at sea level ... the constant warmth might be too much for them.
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I was curious about the rot problem mentioned, did a little research, not conclusive... was reminded that fuchsias are native to the Caribbean, remembered that in hanging baskets the trick is to keep them from drying. In L.A. summer heat I watered them twice a day. But in hanging baskets the soil is light and has good ventilation, so that may be why I think of them as liking wet feet.
I think the reason they are commonly displayed in hanging baskets is not for perfect drainage but to best display the flowers. Their dangling habit and flower form looks better at eye level or above, like petunias. Like I said, they do fine in clay soil, which is the worst draining you can have.
Hawai'i may have different micro-organisms that cause problems in warm, wet soil.
Fuchsias thrive in Northern California coastal regions. They will grow in other climates but that's where I'm seen them the happiest with the least fussing.
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I think by accident we found the right spot.
Mostly shady with dappled sunlight. Near the waterfall, in an area with really good drainage but gets lots of misty spray from the rain (but not dropping on it directly.)
The little thing has grown 2" already! We'll see if we make it all the way through July/August - that will be the tough months!
You found the absolute nirvana site for a fuchsia, Cat! Bravo!
