Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: rowlandwells on September 26, 2017, 20:02

Title: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: rowlandwells on September 26, 2017, 20:02
its getting time to think about putting some of our plants in the tunnel or greenhouse to overwinter and I'm thinking about our fuchsias so what in your opinions is the best way to keep your fuchsias overwinter

I have in the past cut our fuchsias back and put them in a tray of compost keeping them on the dry side till spring then water them to make them shoot I have to say we have lost some so I'm interested to hear how you would recommend keeping fuchsias overwinter

and advise on this topic much appreciated  :unsure:
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: mumofstig on September 26, 2017, 20:48
I overwinter mine in pots in the greenhouse. When it turns properly cold, I cover them with a couple of layers of fleece and a sheet of polythene over that. I've only lost 1 in the last 4 years, but suppose we haven't had a proper freeze during that time
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: oldgrunge on September 27, 2017, 19:26
I do pretty much the same as MOS, I don't prune them back until the spring. Lose more to vine weevil than frost!
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: sunshineband on September 28, 2017, 08:45
I take a brutal approach, cutting top growth back by a third and roots by about half. Re-potting into almost dry compost and   keeping inside, covered with two layers of fleece when it is really cold.

This reduces the space they take up as well as the number of fallen leaves there are to deal with too. I make sure further leaves are cleared up as they fall to reduce disease and keep the compost barely moist until I see tiny green leaf buds, when it is gradually increased

Seems to work alright as mainly they come through and make good sized plants for the next season
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: Fairy Plotmother on September 28, 2017, 09:02
I take a brutal approach, cutting top growth back by a third and roots by about half. Re-potting into almost dry compost and   keeping inside, covered with two layers of fleece when it is really cold.

This reduces the space they take up as well as the number of fallen leaves there are to deal with too. I make sure further leaves are cleared up as they fall to reduce disease and keep the compost barely moist until I see tiny green leaf buds, when it is gradually increased

Seems to work alright as mainly they come through and make good sized plants for the next season
That's how I do it to! Watch out for vine weevil ......what a pest!😤
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: sunshineband on September 29, 2017, 12:29
I take a brutal approach, cutting top growth back by a third and roots by about half. Re-potting into almost dry compost and   keeping inside, covered with two layers of fleece when it is really cold.

This reduces the space they take up as well as the number of fallen leaves there are to deal with too. I make sure further leaves are cleared up as they fall to reduce disease and keep the compost barely moist until I see tiny green leaf buds, when it is gradually increased

Seems to work alright as mainly they come through and make good sized plants for the next season
That's how I do it to! Watch out for vine weevil ......what a pest!😤


I always search through the roots but do sometimes miss one or two... and what damage they can do. Same with begonia tubers
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: RJR_38 on October 04, 2017, 06:50
You will have to excuse my ignorance as this is the first year I have had a garden and grown flowers rather than an allotment!

I have a a lot of established fuchsias in the garden - some big bushes and one almost like a small patio tree in shape and size. I assumed they would be OK over the winter? What do I do with them as I don't have a greenhouse
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: snowdrops on October 04, 2017, 07:43
You will have to excuse my ignorance as this is the first year I have had a garden and grown flowers rather than an allotment!

I have a a lot of established fuchsias in the garden - some big bushes and one almost like a small patio tree in shape and size. I assumed they would be OK over the winter? What do I do with them as I don't have a greenhouse

If they were there when you bought the house I would assume they are the hardy ones, usually smaller flowers than the tender ones, but there are exceptions.
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: oldgrunge on October 04, 2017, 10:37
If they've been ok out in the garden for a while, them they're probably hardy ones. I leave my hardy fuchsias alone until spring, and then cut them back.
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: rowlandwells on October 04, 2017, 17:42
thanks all for all your replies that been duly noted RW
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: RJR_38 on October 05, 2017, 07:07
You will have to excuse my ignorance as this is the first year I have had a garden and grown flowers rather than an allotment!

I have a a lot of established fuchsias in the garden - some big bushes and one almost like a small patio tree in shape and size. I assumed they would be OK over the winter? What do I do with them as I don't have a greenhouse

If they were there when you bought the house I would assume they are the hardy ones, usually smaller flowers than the tender ones, but there are exceptions.

The flowers are smaller so that makes sense! If you have an unknown in a pot or as a gift is this how you generally tell the difference?
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: snowdrops on October 05, 2017, 16:31
You will have to excuse my ignorance as this is the first year I have had a garden and grown flowers rather than an allotment!

I have a a lot of established fuchsias in the garden - some big bushes and one almost like a small patio tree in shape and size. I assumed they would be OK over the winter? What do I do with them as I don't have a greenhouse

If they were there when you bought the house I would assume they are the hardy ones, usually smaller flowers than the tender ones, but there are exceptions.

The flowers are smaller so that makes sense! If you have an unknown in a pot or as a gift is this how you generally tell the difference?

It wouldn't be a reliable way, if you really haven't room to bring it in I'd take some cuttings & bring those in & then keep the one in the pot in as sheltered a place as possible, in pots plants are more prone to getting frosted as their roots are more vulnerable
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: RJR_38 on October 05, 2017, 20:47
Thanks snowdrops. The 'tree' one is about 1.5m tall so it will have to take its chances as will the huge bush ones. The others in big pots I will drag round to the most sheltered part of the garden and put some fleece round or something.
Title: Re: keeping fuchsias overwinter
Post by: muckyboots on October 09, 2017, 18:41
Hi,I agree with taking cuttings not only with fuchsias but with all the plants I don't want to lose.I also take cuttings of new purchases as a safety precaution.Good luck.