Hello, potential caretaker! We are fuchsias, a diverse and vibrant genus longing to bring cascading color to your garden or home. Choosing one of us is the first step in a beautiful relationship. To ensure you select the perfect specimen for your environment, please consider the following from our perspective.
Before you fall for our flowers, look a little deeper. Our leaves are a tell-tale sign of our inner health. Seek out plants with lush, green foliage from top to bottom. Avoid us if our leaves are yellowing, spotted with black or brown lesions (a sign of disease like rust or botrytis), or if you see tiny webs (indicating spider mites). Gently part our foliage and look at the stems; they should be firm and green, not soft, brown, or mushy, which indicates rot. A healthy, vibrant plant is a resilient one.
While we are often pot-bound, it's wise to check our foundation. Carefully slide us out of our nursery pot. Our roots should be a healthy white or light tan color and feel firm. A tightly wound, dense mat of roots circling the inside of the pot is acceptable, but be prepared to pot us up soon. However, if the roots are dark brown, slimy, and emit a foul odor, this is root rot, often caused by overwatering. Please leave that plant behind; it is already in significant distress.
It is tempting to choose the plant with the most spectacular display of open flowers. However, a wiser choice is a plant with a multitude of unopened buds alongside a few open blooms. This indicates we are at the peak of our health and have a long blooming period ahead of us, rather than being at the very end of our flowering cycle. You will get to enjoy the full spectacle of our performance for much longer.
We come in several forms, and it's crucial to match our natural growth habit to your intended space. Upright varieties grow like small bushes, perfect for patio pots and garden beds. Trailing varieties are ideal for hanging baskets, where our branches can cascade gracefully over the edges. There are also semi-trailing and lax bush types. Check the plant tag for this information to ensure we will thrive in the container or location you have in mind.
We are not sun worshippers. We thrive in bright, indirect light or partial shade with cool roots. Direct, hot afternoon sun will scorch our delicate leaves and cause us to wilt dramatically. When purchasing, consider where you will place us. Also, note that we are highly susceptible to wind. Our branches are somewhat brittle, and strong gusts can break our stems and shred our beautiful flowers and leaves. A sheltered location is paramount for our well-being.
