Interested in fuchsias as a garden flower? here is the best way to buy fuchsias...

Fuchsias grow well in humus-rich, well drained soils which are perfectly aerated. If your Fuchsia is going to thrive in your garden or patio it is imperative that you try as much as possible to simulate these natural wild conditions.

Fuchsias thrive in the following positions:

  • East facing balconies and patios they receive adequate sunlight in the morning

  • Positions facing south-west or north receive sunshine in the afternoon or evening

  • Gardens facing south and are not in direct sunlight all day

  • Flower beds on the east or west side of the house

  • Shady positions

Fuchsias do not grow well in positions that are too dark and will produce very few flowers in these sites. Avoid them at all time. Positions that are unsuitable will encourage disease and pests these results in little foliage. Hot positions with dry still air, patios or balconies that receive strong wind and non ventilated rooms are all bad positions for the Fuchsia and must be avoided.

How to improve sites

Sites that offer unfavourable conditions for Fuchsia growth can be adjusted quiet easily.

Positions in the wind

Fuchsias dislike draught and prefer airy surroundings. Strong wind results in the shoots of the young fuchsia breaking off and thus destroying the fuchsia. A wind breaker can be erected to prevent strong wind from harming the plant. You can use:

  • Opaque matting or porous cladding

  • Trellises or open fencing covered by climbing plants for a unique design

  • Neighbouring plants or bushes break the force of the gusts of the wind

try and plant the fuchsia between broad evergreen plants of different heights to protect the fuchsia from draught in a flower bed. Bushes, shrubs and other plants will protect the fuchsia well.

Shade

Fuchsias grow well in shaded positions and will not produce foliage in direct sunlight. Provide shade for the fuchsia by using trellises with bushy climbing plants or creepers, synthetic shading mats for fuchsia in greenhouses and UV protection screens or Venetian blinds for those in a conservatory.

Improving humidity

  • During the summer the air is very dry and not adequate for fuchsia growth. The microclimate surrounding the fuchsia can be improved by:

  • Spraying with water daily in the morning and evening (not during the daytime where there is direct sunlight)

  • Installing a humidity-dispensing source near the fuchsia such as a fountain, a small pool or water basin.

  • Planting plants close to the fuchsia, which have huge leaves which emit a lot of water into the air through evaporation.

  • Planting low-growing plants that will result in the soil not drying out.

  • Using a 5 cm layer of mulch of grass cuttings, rotting compost or bark to prevent the soil from drying out

TIP: Plant low-level lobelia beneath the fuchsia in the mid-spring. The thick overhanging blue carpet produced by the lobelia will act as a soil moist retainer. It also looks beautiful.

Improving humidity in the greenhouse

Use a water spray in the mornings to create a mist around the plants then allow fresh air to blow through. By so doing you supply humidity and cold air which encourages evaporation in the greenhouse.

It is good practice to spray young fuchsia plants daily. You can also stand shallow dishes of water in between the fuchsia pots or stand the plant pots on a dish with moist sand or Hortag.

Indoor plants loose water slower than outdoor plants. Make sure that leaves dry up before the evening .