Pruning Fuchsias

Pruning Fuchsias

( an unpruned basket below)

Pruning of Fuchsias is important as it encourages new leaf growth. Fuchsias only flower on new growth so a combination of one good prune a year , plus a light summer prune is ideal. After new growth appears and reaches three to four nodes,  it can be ‘tipped pruned’ i.e. the growth point removed. This will encourage further new growth at the tip but also along the nodes on the stem thus giving lots of stems which will all flower. You can tip prune two or three times but then stop to allow the plant to flower . It usually takes eight to ten weeks from the time you stop pinch pruning and flowering begins. In warm climates the big prune is usually done in June/ July but in cold climates ,especially those with frost, the big prune is done in March or September.In very cold climates do not prune in ground plants until September.

This is a step by step process of pruning.
·         Plants need to be pruned to rejuvenate them and to encourage lots of new growth otherwise there will be few flowers
·         Autumn and  Spring seem to the best times to prune in cool areas/ mid to late winter in warmer areas
·         Cut off all spindly sticks and old damaged foliage just above a node
·         Prune all other stems above a node to give a balanced and pleasing framework
·         Leave a few leaves to encourage the movement of nutrients through the plant
·         This is a good time to repot plants into a bigger pot  and renew potting mix if needed
 


·         Water in with a weak solution of Seasol then place the plant in a shady place to recover
·         Reduce watering until leaves form
·         Protect new growth from frost
·         As plant develops new growth give a weak solution of Nitrosol  each fortnight until the plant is well clothed with foliage
·         Alternate with Seasol or Phostogen