Greenhouse Gardening – Fuchsia

There are thousands of different types of fuchsia all of which have been bred from a handful of wild species from Mexico and South America. However, they divide roughly into two kinds, the hardy ones that can be left outside all year, and the tender kind that are grown in pots.

Any fuchsia, including the hardy types, can be grown year-round in a greenhouse. Plant them in pots of compost, or for hardy species you can set them directly in the ground. Most, apart from the highly tender varieties can be successfully over-wintered at just 10°C (34°F), although if you want the flowers to keep blooming over winter, a temperature of at least 13°C (55°F) should be maintained.

Fuchsias need humidity in the warmth, and this can be given by soaking the floor during hot weather using a watering can, and mist-spraying the plants. Never allow pots to dry out and avoid the full intensity of the midday sun. Also open greenhouse vents on hot days as fuchsias dislike stagnant air. Fuchsia rust is a risk for greenhouse plants – and manifests as light patches on the upper surfaces of leaves and small, raised orange spots on the lower surfaces. The lower leaves are usually worst affected and these shrivel, leaving a straggly plant. Fuchsias are sensitive to the fungicides used to control rusts and should not be sprayed. Remove infected leaves as soon as any damage is seen. Badly affected plants should be destroyed.

Greenhouse gardening overwinter photograph by Dave F, used under a creative commons attribution licence