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Bolivian Fuchsia

Fuchsia boliviana

The seeds are easy to germinate. Any small containers will do. I use the plastic "6-pack" containers that small nursery plants are sold in. Fill each container to within 1/2 inch of the top with regular potting soil. Don't compress the soil.  After filling the containers, water the soil so that it's uniformly moist. Place 2 or 3 seeds on top, and sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top - just enough to barely cover the seeds. Spray the top soil with a spray bottle filled with water, and put the pots in a plastic bag and close it.  Place the pots in moderate temperatures (about 65-75 degrees) in a bright spot, but not in direct sun.  Open the bag once a day to let fresh air in.  By the way, if you are inexperienced with growing seeds, start by planting only half of them.  

Most of the seeds should sprout within 2-3 weeks, although allow up to 8 weeks for any slow ones to sprout.  It's normal for some seeds to be sterile and not sprout.  When you see little green leaves on the surface - celebrate - and then remove the bag.  Spray the soil whenever the surface looks dry for the couple of weeks.  A well-ventilated spot is best.  If you have more than one seedling in each container, snip off the weaker one(s) when they're an inch tall - or very carefully remove them. 

I recommend growing them indoors until they're at least a few inches tall.  You can use a fluorescent bulb if you keep it about 6-8" from the plants.  Do not use incandescent (screw-in) bulbs, even if they're called "plant bulbs".  You can also put them in well-filtered sunlight.  Transition them to more sun very gradually - no more than an hour more sun every week or two.  Fuchsias don't like dry air.  Over 50% humidity is recommended.   

Watering - Fuchsia boliviana likes moist soil, but it shouldn't be perpetually soggy either.  Water whenever the soil is about halfway dry down where the roots are. I recommend using a moisture meter probe to monitor the soil moisture. You can buy this at garden and hardware stores for about $4.  You simply stick the probe in the soil at the level where the roots are, and water whenever the needle is halfway across the dial. Never let the pots dry out, but don't let them sit in a tray of water either.  I strongly recommend using bottled or spring water until the plants are a foot tall.

Feeding - Your Fuchsia likes average fertilizing. Feed once a month during periods of active growth, using an ordinary complete vegetable fertilizer at 1/2 the recommended dose.  Don't overfeed them - it will not speed their growth and may end up killing them. Most potting soil contains fertilizer, which means your seedlings won't need to be fed for the first month or two.  If some of the older leaves turn yellow and drop, this is usually a sign that the plant may need more fertilizer (nitrogen).  If the newer growth should turn yellow with green veins, the pH of your tap water is probably too high.  Switch to bottled water if this occurs.  It's normal for the growing tips to appear a little reddish or yellow-green initially. 

Repotting - Repot your plants to larger containers whenever the roots start circling around the bottom of the container or poke out of the holes. Transplant very carefully to avoid disturbing the roots.  If you mix your own soil, use approximately 2 parts well-decomposed compost to 1 part sand or perlite.  I like to add a slow-release organic fertilzer at this time.

Growing outdoors - Fuchsia boliviana prefers filtered sunlight.  Morning sun + afternoon shade is fine, as is tree-filtered sunlight all day.  The plant prefers moderate temperatures and cool nights.  The ideal temps would be between 60 and 80 during the day, and 45 to 65 at night.  In warmer areas, give the plants mid-day shade, and don't place them near a wall where heat can collect.  Keep the pot shaded to avoid overheating the roots, and mulch heavily to keep the soil moist.  Black pots are not recommended.  You may plant them in the ground in mild-winter areas, such as along the Pacific coast.  Protect the plants from all frost. 

Pests to watch for - whitefly, aphids, scale (little lumps on the stems or leaves), mealybugs, and possibly spider mites (tiny "dots" under the leaves).

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. 

Have fun growing them!

Jeff

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