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Monthly Fuchsia Care
December, January, and February Fuchsia Care: Mulch in ground plants and add wetting agent such as Wettasoil if needed in your area Keep plants, especially those in baskets, moist but DO NOT OVERWATER Check baskets and pots are free draining especially in very wet weather Lower baskets to the ground in the shade in very hot conditions/ wet the mulch/ mist the plants Give plants a light summer prune to encourage new growth and therefore flowers in March when the worst of the hot weather has passed. This will keep them flowering through Autumn and provide some tip cuttings for propagation in March Check for ‘rust’ in humid or wet weather. Isolate the plant/ remove all affected leaves/ treat with a fungicide if necessary. If the infestation is extensive, prune the plant, water with Seasol then place the pot in a shady spot for several weeks. If you have a pot/ basket which keeps drying out, it may need repotting.You can sprinkle Wettasoil over the top of the soil to help the potting mix retain and absorb water. Repot when the weather is cooler A pot, which has dried out and you are in danger of losing the plant, can be ‘dunked’ into a bucket of water with a little Seasol added. Allow the water to completely cover the soil. Leave in the bucket until air bubbles stop rising to the surface. Remove the pot from the bucket and place in a shade house or deep shade to recover. If the weather is very hot and dry check for mites (red spider or cyclamen). Isolate the plant. Prune off any affected foliage. First try misting under and on top of the leaves with tepid awater If the infestation becomes much worse you can spray with Rogor or Marverick according to directions Check the back of Fuchsia leaves for White Fly and Thrips. Thrips, like Spider mite, thrive in hot dry conditions so a frequent misting under and on top of leaves will help to keep them at bay. White fly can infest plants anytime. Spraying Confidor on plants will help to prevent white fly from infesting the plants. Dunking the foliage in a 5 litre bucket of Confidor solution is a quick way to do a number of plants. A plastic bag placed over the soil will prevent the soil from falling into the bucket. April, May , June Fuchsia Care: The Australian Fuchsia Society has a Calendar of Fuchsia Care. This list is based on that Calendar plus others from my own experience: · Keep pots and in ground plants free from debris · Remove spent flowers and seed pods · Continue to take cuttings · March/ April is a good time to buy new plants ( see list of suppliers under For Your Information) · March/April is a good time to plant new Fuchsias or move potted plants into the ground · In cool areas plants can be pruned in early April. When leaves form. Water with a very weak solution of Seasol each week to harden up leaves and assist root development · Check for rust and aphids · Check if cuttings taken in March are developing roots.(pull GENTLY) · In April/ May check if cuttings can be potted on to the next sized pot or need to be left a while longer · As days become cooler make sure baskets and pots get a little more sun (deciduous trees will do this for you) · Renew plant labels if needed · In warm areas plants can be pruned in June/ July · Take cuttings from prunings · Rejuvenate plants by repotting with fresh mix · Root prune older plants in large pots/ baskets then add fresh potting mix if you want to keep the same pot · In dry areas include wetting agents · In wet areas hold off on wetting agents add Wettasoil later only if needed · Reduce watering in cooler weather / mix needs to be moist but not WET · Ensure good air circulation around your plants · Be vigilant for pests and diseases July, August, September Fuchsia Care: Prune in warmer areas in July/ colder areas wait until frosts are over (September?) take tip and hardwood cuttings from the pruned material Repot established plants in larger pots and baskets or root prune and replenish potting mix if you don’t want to move the plant to a larger pot/ basket. Reduce watering especially in colder areas and after pruning Give plants more sunlight in winter Move pots up against a north wall to take advantage of radiated heat in the night Pots moved under eaves will have radiated heat and protection from heavy rain Take precautions against frost Check for pests and diseases especially rust after heavy rain Isolate any affected plants / wash hands after handling Give plants plenty of air circulation to prevent disease In August begin to harden off cuttings taken in June/ July Begin to fertilise rooted cuttings with Nitrosol/ Charlie Carp foliar fertiliser once a fortnight/alternate with Phostogen as plants get bigger Begin to pinch out cuttings and pruned plants when the new growth is 2/3 nodes long October, November/December
Fuchsia Care:
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