[Jamie Butterworth]

When is the best time to split a fuscia plant, the plant in question is very big and i would like to make 3 decent size plant from it to go round the garden

[mumofstig]

you can't split a fuscia jamie
It's not like a herbeceous plant at all.......... it is a small shrub.
If you want to get more from it you can root cuttings. If it is too big then prune it a bit 

[Endymion]

If it's a perennial you might be able to split it with a spade, if you can manage to get one into the centre of the plant. Then plant deeper than originally and give loads and loads of water afterwards, but the easiest way of propagating a fuchsia is from cuttings.

I've never tried root cuttings, but take a long heeled shoot. Trim the soft growth at the top back a bit and then push it at least six inches into the ground, water loads and then wait and see what happens. They tend to wilt quite alarmingly to start off with, then recover.

(Spelling - The way I remember the stray 'h' is that it's named after German botanist Leonard Fuchs, same with buddleia which is named after Reverend Buddle. Both have the surname with the "ia" afterwards.)

[mumofstig]

you can't split a fuschia jamie
It's not like a herbeceous plant at all.......... it is a small shrub.
If you want to get more from it you can root cuttings. If it is too big then prune it a bit 

I didn't mean take root cuttings....I meant take cuttings and root them 
They are easy to root

and yes missed the spelling mistake

[Trillium]

This got me thinking about my fuschias as well and I can't honestly say I'd cut them - it would be like trying to cut a cedar tree for more plants. Better to do as mum suggests - take cuttings and root them. They're far healthier and will root quickly.

[Endymion]

I didn't mean take root cuttings....I meant take cuttings and root them  :nowink

Sorry, I misread what you'd written.

[hamstergbert]

Currently have some on the windowsill that were accidentally knocked off (all green) bits each about 9" long (or c23cm for the youngsters).  Dropped them into a tall glass and kept them supplied well with fresh water for a few weeks and they have now rooted and ready for planting out.  (I also removed any tiny flower buds as they appeared)

[Jamie Butterworth]

Thanks for the advice everyone

[Goosegirl]

In the past, I have sawed off the outer woody stems through the base of a fuchsia magcan do this.ellanica and had plantable bits. I have just dug up and sawed through another hardy fuchsia and done the same and got off a piece with both fibrous and thicker roots that looks plantable too. I think if it is a big plant with a very thick woody base, you can do this sucessfully.