The best way to planting fuchsias in garden containers
Containers should be thoroughly soaked in water to remove any toxic substances from the pot. This will allow the container to take in and drain off water easily. Second hand pots should be scrubbed then rinsed with clean water, then dried in the sun.
How to plant?
The drainage hole should be covered with a piece of broken pot.
The base of a large container should be filled with Hortag, pot shards or gravel. Place a thin mat of interfacing fabric over this Hortag layer to prevent the drainage layer from being clogged with compost.
Damaged shoots should be cut off. Shoots that are too long must be shortened and dead parts must be removed.
Add the potting compost to the pot and set the Fuchsia plant on top of the compost.
Fill in soil evenly around the plant and gently press down. Ensure that there is a gap of about 1-2cm for watering from the top edge of the pot.
Water thoroughly
Taller plants must be supported with a plastic-coated steel rod or bamboo cane.
The correct spacing of plants
Spacing will be determined by the shape in which the plant is growing and its characteristics. It is good practice to leave a space of 25-35cm between plants. Use only one plant in a hanging basket of 15cm in diameter. Large baskets of about 25cm in diameter can accommodate 3 Fuchsias.
Large containers are ideal for luxury growing Fuchsias such as Checkerboard, Charming and Billy Green.
Planting Fuchsias in flower beds
The root stock is moistened first then planted in the soil. Gently press down leaving a gulley around the stem and irrigate twice using a sprinkler attached to a water can. The gulley should be covered with dry soil.
Watering Fuchsias
Fuchsias require plenty of water. Irrigation should be done in the morning to allow the foliage to dry up by evening. Avoid water logging the fuchsia by pouring away all surplus water in the dishes or bowls below the pot.
Use your fingers to test if the soil is dry or moist. When the soil is dry then irrigate. Make sure that the fuchsia does not go limb by providing it with some form of shade.
How often should I water fuchsias?
Bedding fuchsias require additional irrigation only during long dry spells. A sprinkler can be used and the soil should be saturated to a depth of at least 10cm.
Solitary plants need a lot of water. Water the plant when you notice a lighter colour around the roots, then the rest of the soil. Standard fuchsias normally receive very little rainwater due to their wide, spreading heads. They thus need regular watering. Fuchsias in pots, tubs and containers need to be watered daily during the summer as more water is lost through evaporation.
Using the right water
Rainwater is best for fuchsias. However do not collect the initial rain water, especially after a long dry spell. This first water normally contains a lot of polluting substances. Water from the houses' mains is also suitable for fuchsia. It must not be too hard or too cold. Use well or spring water sparingly because its quality may not be best for the fuchsia.