Home	Strange Wonderful Things Rare and exotic plants & seeds

Fuchsia paniculata

   Getting started -- The seeds are easy to germinate. Any small containers or cups will work if they have drainage holes. Use a well draining soil mix, such as 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite.  Fill each container and water it. Don't compress the soil.  Place 2 or 3 seeds on top, and sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top - just enough to barely cover the seeds, because light helps the seeds germinate. Sprinkle a few drops on the top soil layer.

Until the seeds sprout, ensure that the soil surface does not dry out.  If you put the pots in plastic dome or bag, open it open a crack to allow fresh air in.  Keep the pots at about 65-75 degrees F (18-23°C).  Try not to let them get above 75°F (23°C).  If you use a heating mat, check the soil temperature to ensure that it doesn't overheat.  Keep the pots in a bright spot, but not in direct sun.

The seeds should begin sprouting within 4 weeks, but allow up to 10 weeks for any slow ones to sprout, especially at cooler temperatures.  If you have more than one seedling in each container, snip off the weaker one(s) after 4 weeks - or carefully transplant them.  Give your seedlings bright light, but avoid direct sunlight. 

I recommend growing them indoors the first few months.  Fuchsias don't like dry air.  Over about 40% humidity is recommended.

Watering - Fuchsia paniculata likes evenly moist soil, but it shouldn't be perpetually soggy either.  Never let the pots dry out, but don't let them sit in a tray of water either. 

If your tap water is very high in minerals (or "hard") i recommend using bottled spring water or rain water.

Feeding - Your Fuchsia has average fertilizing needs.  Feed about every 2 months with a slow-release (pelleted or organic) fertilizer.  If your potting soil contains fertilizer (check the package) your seedlings shouldn't need to be fed for the first 3 weeks.

It's normal for an older leaf to occasionally turn yellow and drop, but if it seems excessive, your plant may need more nitrogen fertilizer.  It can also be from overly dry soil. 

If the newer growth turns yellow with green veins, the pH of your tap water is probably too high.  Switch to bottled water if this happens. 

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 carefully to avoid letting the soil ball brea apart, which can damage the roots.  Watering the soil before repotting will help avoid this.  For the first week after repotting, give no fertilizer and no direct sun.

Growing outdoors - Fuchsia paniculata prefers filtered sunlight, except in cooler, coastal areas, where it can take considerably more 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 50 and 80 during the day (10-27°C), and 45 to 65 at night (7-18°).  In warmer areas, give the plants afternoon 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. 

You may plant them in the ground in frost-free areas, such as along the Pacific coast.  Otherwise keep the plant in a pot, and prune it shorter whenever it grows too big.  It can survive a light frost, but try to protect it from all frost, especially when young.

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

Strange Wonderful Things

 

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