Frustrated with Fuchsia

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Author Message   Duckwatcher  Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 02:28 pm EST :    I am about to dig this thing up. I tried to make it more topiary like b/c it was so leggy. The terrible drawing below will give you an idea of what it looks like and what I want it to look like. It's still leggy but now just leggy on the top. Maybe the Gartenmeister is not a good topiary type plant. DuckWatcher, NCa z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 04:16 pm EST :    Hi DW, Did you mean that you wanted it to look more like this? This is a 'standard'(trained more like a tree fuchsia) of Checkerboard, a single flowering fuchsia with quite a short distance between the nodes on the stems. If so, the 1st problem with Gartenmeister Bonstedt for this purpose as you probably know, is that the growth is very rigid and upright, therefore those stems will never really hang down. The 2nd problem is that the space between the nodes along the stems is quite great, therefore will never give a really compact 'head'. Here is Checkerboard grown as a bush in the garden. Even though it is an 'upright' growth plant, because the distance between the nodes is shorter than GB, = more shoots on 1 stem, it has the appearance of what we call a 'lax-upright' and more suitable for growing as a 'standard'. Any of the 'trailing' type fuchsias, like those used for hanging baskets, also make good standards. Hope you understand my explanation DW Kath Zone 8b UK   Duckwatcher  Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 09:24 pm EST :    Kath, I understand what you are saying. I guess I was thinking like a weeping willow kind of look. But I agree that the leaves are spaced too far apart making it look not so good. When I first got it, it was a cute little bush and now *argh*. My DBF is ready to dig it up and toss it, I hate doing that to a plant that is not sick or dying. DuckWatcher, NCa z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 04:35 am EST :    .......and the good news is, no need to dig it up and toss it DW . If you cut through that main stem approximately 3 to 4 inches above soil level, it should sprout again with new growth along that remaining stem and also from underneath the soil, creating a new bush. Let the surrounding soil dry-out a little before you cut it, this will lessen the loss of sap out of the cut stem. Kath Zone 8b UK   Duckwatcher  Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 12:54 pm EST :    Kath, Right now it's summer and it's pretty hot (80-90deg), this plant gets partial sun. Should I wait for it to be cooler? DuckWatcher, NCa z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 01:21 pm EST :    Yep, understand DW, no don't wait, as it is still your 'good growing season' and plenty of warmth in the soil, which will in turn encourage that new growth. After 2 days have elapsed after cutting it down, then keep the soil moist for the next month, with those temps it should shoot new growth within a month. Let me know how it goes. Now 18.15 here in the UK, going to have my evening meal and will be back later to answer your other posting Kath Zone 8b UK   Duckwatcher  Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 02:56 pm EST :    I took some pictures of the plant but of course the batteries had to die so I cannot get the pics off till the batteries finish charging. I want to make sure I cut the plant in the right place. I made a modification of the above photo to give you and idea of length. Where should I cut it to? DuckWatcher, NCa z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 04:56 pm EST :    Just below the V shape DW, where I've put the blue line Kath Zone 8b UK   Duckwatcher  Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 05:23 pm EST :    Wow I wasn't expecting that much of a cut. I am trusting you tho b/c you are the expert. My BF is like are you sure it's so hot and dry and I said yes. That you are the expert :) DuckWatcher, NCa z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 05:34 pm EST :    I can understand your concern DW, as I said above, the most important thing is to keep the soil moist for the first month, beginning 2 days after cutting. Kath Zone 8b UK   Duckwatcher  Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 11:24 pm EST :    OK I shut off the water today. It's gonna be hot so I am sure the plant will be stressed. It might take a few days for the soil to dry. So after a few days, cut it back, wait two days and begin watering again. Should I give it some Fish Emulsion (sp) during this time as well? DuckWatcher, NCa z9b   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 03:59 am EST :    Yes, when you begin watering again, a little fish emulsion once every 2 weeks will be fine Kath Zone 8b UK   Deanneart  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Garden Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 05:29 pm EST :    Kath, That standard of your 'Checkerboard' is stunning! I can't get over the size of the trunk on that. How old is the plant? Also, I'm amazed that it grows so well in such a small pot. Do fuchsias do better in smaller pots? Deanne New Hampshire Zone 5   Fbonsailady  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 07:29 pm EST :    Thanks Deanne. When that photo was taken it was 12 years old. Generally speaking never over-pot fuchsias, especially during the winter months, they don't like a lot of wet soil around their roots, especially when in any type of container. Being a bit pot bound in the growing-season encourages them to flower more. The exception to this is when first starting off a standard, then never let them get pot-bound, because you want all the strength going to produce a strong plant and not flowers. Kath Zone 8b UK   Deanneart  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Garden Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 09:32 pm EST :    Kath, you are a walking fuchsia encyclopedia! Thanks for the additional information. Deanne New Hampshire Zone 5

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