Cut back fuchsia annually
Fuchsias only bloom on this year's soft shoots. However, since these become lignified from autumn and thus become old, untrimmed fuchsias become more and more rotten in bloom over the years. To prevent this from happening, you should prune the plants once a year. In doing so, you remove about a third to half of the bush, but without cutting too far into the old wood. Leave at least 10 centimeters of the wood! In addition, you should remove dead and sickly parts of the plant immediately so that the fuchsia remains healthy and blooms diligently throughout the summer.
also read
- Should you cut fuchsias before wintering?
- Fuchsia doesn't bloom - why is it?
- Magnificent blooms in fuchsias - care, cutting, wintering
Pruning: Better before winter or in spring?
It is up to you whether you carry out the annual pruning in autumn or in spring. However, there are some good reasons for an autumn cut:
- Cut back, hardy fuchsias are easier to overwinter
- Cut back, not hardy fuchsias take up less space in winter quarters
- cut fuchsias need less light in winter (less leaves = less light)
- Above-ground parts of hardy fuchsias will freeze back anyway
- Dried parts of plants are potential targets for pathogens
- Fungi etc. nest there more easily and weaken the plant
- You don't run the risk of missing the right time to prune in spring
Raise the fuchsia trunk
However, the lignification also offers the opportunity to raise fuchsias not only to become bushes, but optionally also to become tall trunks or even bonsai. However, these growth forms require regular parenting prunings over the years.
- Support the cutting of a standing fuchsia variety with a stick.
- Semi-hanging varieties can also be used for this purpose.
- Cut off all side shoots regularly.
- As a result, the plant grows upwards faster and develops a stem.
- Once the fuchsia has reached the desired height, let the side shoots grow.
- Avoid "wild growth", however, but rather form a crown through targeted cutting.
In terms of care, tall fuchsia trunks or bonsai have the same requirements as naturally growing fuchsias.
Tips
We know fuchsias mainly as bushy plants or specially trained tall trunks. What is less well known is that Fuchsia excorticata is also a tree-growing fuchsia. This is native to New Zealand and is called “Kotukutuku” there.
