Fuchsia is named after Leonard Fuchs, a 16th-century German botanist, and is native to Central and South America. The plant's flowers come in a wide range of colors, from pale pink to deep red and purple.
Fuchsias need a rest period in winter, during which time the plant should be kept in a light, cool room. During the growing season, the ends of the branches should be pinched every 2 weeks so that the plant becomes more lush and branchy.
New varieties of fuchsias with flowers of various colors appear almost every year. Plants are often sold in bloom, 30-40 cm high. Optimal conditions for them are a light, cool room and moderate watering.
Soil:
Equal parts of clay soil mixture, peat, rotted manure and leaf soil with sand.
Lighting:
Full sunlight, eliminating the hot rays of the summer midday sun.
Temperature:
In summer, it is desirable not to exceed 16° C, although the plant can tolerate higher temperatures, provided the humidity is very high. In winter, during the dormant period, maintain the temperature within 7-10° C. In spring, spray the plant 2 times a week, in summer 2 times a day, especially in hot weather.
Do not spray in fall and winter.
Watering:
Moderate; once a week in spring and twice a week in summer, as soon as the soil surface begins to dry out. After the plant has finished flowering, reduce watering again to once a week. In winter, the soil surface should dry out completely between waterings, during which time water the plant no more often than once every 2 weeks.
Top dressing:
Once flower buds appear, begin applying liquid houseplant fertilizer once a week, diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stop feeding in late summer.
Formation:
To increase the branching of the crown trim/pinch tree regularly, throughout the growing season. If you want to grow thicker branches or a trunk, you should regularly remove flowers, but do not trim the branches. During active growth, when the tree is still young, replant fuchsia annually.
Purchasing a plant:
Fuchsia is sold in flower shops. There is a wide range of plants on sale.
Pests and diseases:
Fuchsia is under attack aphids and powdery mildew. Also prone to various types of diseases.
