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Turquoise Puya

Fireworks of pink!

Fuchsia arborscens

It sure doesn't look like a Fuchsia, does it?  Fuchsia arborescens is a spectacular, rare species from the cool mountains of Central America.  This flamboyant Fuchsia is tree-sized, growing 10 to 15 feet tall!  It's covered with big panicles of bright pink flowers almost all year.  The blooms are exciting even in the bud stage, starting out lilac-pink before bursting open to a softer pink.  The effect is like having lit sparklers all over your plant!  This Fuchsia is very rare in cultivation.  Fresh, genuine seeds are almost never seen for sale.

Fuchsia arborescens

Fuchsia arborescens is an evergreen species that forms a large, woody bush.  Even through it can grow huge, you may prune it down to any size you wish.  It flowers most months of the year, and is a very heavy bloomer.  Each flower cluster can get 5 to 10 inches across and have dozens of flowers.  After flowering, it makes dark blue, grape-like berries that are edible!  They are lightly sweet, tasting sort of like kiwi fruit, but not as sweet.  This is a true species, not a cultivated hybrid, so the seeds grow true.

Fuchsia arborescens

It comes from mountain cloud forests, where temperatures are mild and nights are cool.  The plant might not thrive if temperatures regularly get above 85 degrees F (29°C) with nights above 65° F (18°C).  It might be able to tolerate warmer conditions if nights are cool, but it probably won't flower until days are cooler.  It can only handle a few degrees of frost (-2°C), and will lose its foliage from frost.  It's best to protect the plant from freezing temperatures.  It prefers filtered sun or morning sun — shade it from strong afternoon sun.  Like most Fuchsias, it likes fertile, well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist.  Over about 40% humidity is best.  This species is resistant to Fuchsia mites.

Fuchsia arborescens

Unfortunately, fake seeds of it have been offered, especially from China.  I guarantee that my seeds and plants are genuine!

 

Check availability

 

Germination tips for this plant

 

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Turquoise Puya

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