Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Fuchsias

Q. Advice would be much appreciated with regard to leaves which have turned yellow and spotted and then prematurely fall. Also, others have developed "black spot." On some leaves there is a powdery gold dust on the undersides. Many other plants are fit and healthy.

A. Fuchsias are one of my specialties. I used to grow and enter in shows, but now have limited space in the City, so no more displaying!

You probably have both black spot and rust. They are both common fungi which attach fuchsias. The red on the underside is what rust does, and you know the other.

So, you have to apply a fungicide. it is really no big deal. It really should be done monthly as a preventative when the plants are growing and in humid conditions.

Go to your local nursery or garden center and buy such a product. I use Ortho, a good name. Read the label and see that both fungi are listed. Then, of course follow the instructions to the T and repeat as called for. One spraying will not do it, and if you delay, you will suffer much leaf dropping!

Keep any water off the foliage and provide air circulation plus good AM sun to dry the leaves to prevent the necessary moisture for fungi to flourish.

Q. I have a three year old fuchsia hanging basket. The past two years, it bloomed great, but now the foliage is lush but plant will not bloom this year. I have given the same conditions and care as prior years. Any ideas why won't it bloom?

A. Fuchsias need to be taken out of their pots and have the roots trimmed when dormant. Many growers do this every fall after the foliage has fallen and before the cooler temps set in. Others root prune every 2-3 years.

The plants need to be cut back due to the small size of the pots. The pruning will force new healthy roots once the plant bud breaks in the spring.

At the same time, the foliage and stems must be pruned to an equal size as the roots. Many times this involves cutting stems back to nothing but hard wood. I do not know where she gardens so do not know the climatic conditions. Even here in CA. we root and foliage prune each fall and let them rest until spring. Then, lush new growth comes out and lots of flowers.

In the meantime, have her add an inch of leaf mold or dehydrated steer manure to the top of the soil in each pot. Feed with a fertilizer high in the middle number, which is Phosphorus. This will encourage blooms and not lush foliage. Too much of the first number, Nitrogen, gives them lots of beautiful leaves at the expense of flowers.

This harsh pruning does not apply to fuchsias growing in the ground, except that the foliage should be pruned each fall. The roots have plenty of space to grow into the garden bed.

Crissy writes~ I have been reading your care tips for Fuchsias. I bought a beautiful Fuchsia hanging basket from the local nursery this year and I had no idea this plant will come back for me next year. I thought I would be tossing the contents of the basket come the end of fall. I am still a bit unclear on how to root prune. Can you please give me a bit more details in this area. Once I do this, do I store the root ball back in its pot in dirt? Can I store over the winter in my garage or gardening shed or will it be to cold for the plant? I live in Southern Indiana. What do I do to the plant come spring to get it growing again? I have a lot to learn. Up until I found this wonderful site my gardening technique has pretty much been to bring home my purchases, put them in the ground or pot, water everything with Miracle-Gro and hope for the best. I think I'm finally getting the hang of things though, especially with all the helpful information I am getting from your gardening site! Thank you in advance for all your much needed help.

A. Fuchsias can be saved from season to season with proper root pruning and overwintering in a cool, dark, dry spot. Then, come spring, they will pop out with fresh growth and bloom all summer long, with proper care. Their culture and care is too in depth to detail here, so I wish you to go to:

www.americanfuchsiasociety.org

Specifically: http://www.americanfuchsiasociety.org/fuchsiaarticles.html

Where you will find fine articles on pests, propagation, training and winter care. This national organization furnishes the best, most complete information for both beginners and experts. You will be rewarded greatly with fresh plants from year to year, adding new hybrids to your collection yet retaining your old favorites.