From our perspective as fuchsia plants, our roots are the heart of our operation, confined within the limited space of a hanging basket. We crave consistent moisture. The soil should feel like a well-wrung-out sponge – damp to the touch but not dripping wet. This environment allows our roots to efficiently absorb water and nutrients without drowning. When the soil becomes waterlogged, it pushes out the oxygen we desperately need, causing our roots to rot and decay. Once root rot sets in, our ability to feed our beautiful, drooping flowers ceases, and we will rapidly decline.
You cannot set a simple schedule like "every other day" for us. Our water needs fluctuate dramatically based on our environment. On a hot, sunny, and windy day, we are transpiring moisture through our leaves at a tremendous rate, and our soil will dry out very quickly. We might desperately need water twice in a single day. Conversely, during a cool, cloudy, and calm spell, the soil will retain moisture for much longer, and watering us on that same "every other day" schedule would suffocate our roots. The size of our basket also matters; a smaller basket dries out infinitely faster than a larger one filled with more soil.
Please, do not guess. The most reliable way to understand our needs is to physically check our soil. Push your finger about one inch into the top of the soil. This is the most accurate method. If the soil at your fingertip feels dry, it is time for a thorough watering. If it still feels cool and moist, please check again later. We also give visual cues. If we are beginning to wilt slightly, especially on a warm afternoon, we are telling you we are thirsty. However, try to water us before we get to the wilting stage, as that causes us stress.
When we need water, we need a proper, deep drink. A light sprinkling on the surface only encourages our roots to grow shallowly, making us more vulnerable to drought. Water us slowly and evenly at the soil level until you see water beginning to run freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of our basket. This ensures the entire root ball has been saturated. Please allow the excess water to drain away completely; never let us sit in a saucer of water. In the peak of summer, this might mean a deep watering in the morning and another check in the late afternoon.
