I currently have what I believe to be a Heidi Anne in a 12 inch pot that I purchased at Lowes.  At the moment, it does not look too happy, but I believe that is because of the 90+ degree weather we have been having here in Columbus, Ohio for the last couple of weeks.  It lives on my front porch and receives morning sun and afternoon shade.  It seems to like its location, and the hummingbirds just love it. 

The majority of the leaves have dried up and fallen off, so I thought it might be time for it to have a "rest", but it has new growth coming on, and it looks like it is trying to bloom for a second time this season.  Should I leave it be for now and wait for the weather to change, or would now be the time to get it ready for the winter?

I was thinking about bringing inside the house during the winter, but that 12 inch pot is just too big for me to man-handle between the house and the porch.  We had a little cold snap (below freezing) a few weeks after it came home, and I did move it into the house, but had a heck of a time picking it up.

I spologize for the "mini-novel", but this is such a beautiful plant and I don't want to loose it.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Lisa

In respect of what size to 'pot-down' into, as it is such a large pot (did you mean measuring 12 inches across top of the pot?), if so, you could in this instance 'pot-down' into an 8 or 9 inch pot. This would be ample space for the root system during the winter months. Yes, and now is a good time to 'pot-down'.

Just follow the instructions here:

http://www.bonsaigarden.net/overwintering_fuchsia_in_pots.html

I see from this weather chart your average lowest temperature is 18f/-8c,degrees, is this a good guide?

Please come back if you have more questions, that's what we're here for, to help if we can

Your Heidi Anne is beautiful - mine looked like a much smaller version when it was in its prime earlier this year.

Yes, when I measured the pot, it is 12 inches across the top.  I looked at the 8 and 9 inch pots left at Wal-Mart and they just look so very small compared to the one it is currently in, so I opted to purchase a 10 inch pot that matches the pot my Gardenia currently resides in.  I was afraid to go too small.  Would the 10 inch be too large to pot-down into?

I haven't potted-down yet, but it is starting to look rather bare and leggy right now.  I think the extreme heat we have had the last few days has finally taken a toll on my poor Heidi Anne, and the new growth and blooms I had a few days ago have just about shriveled up or fallen off.  I will probably begin getting it ready for the winter sometime this weekend.  Once potted down, should it stay in the light or go someplace dark and cool?

After more thought on overwintering, I was thinking about our well-water pump house - it would always be dark and since it is where the water feeds into the house, we have to keep it a few degrees above freezing so the pipes don't freeze - I thought overwintering there would give it a nice rest before next season.

Your weather chart is very accurate - our winters do not get below 0 degree F very often - other than the windchill - would the extreme windchill cause any problems if I plant in the ground next season.

Okay, enough questions for today.  I'll save a few for later.  Again, thank you for the advice and have a wonderful day.

Lisa

The 10 inch pot would be ok to 'pot-down' into.

Once youve potted down then you have to make the decision:

(a) Am I going to keep it in a light, cool room, and keep it moist? If so then it will immediately start to sprout new growth again, this is where you can get your 'tip-cuttings' from.

or

(b) Am I going to put it in the dark, in the frost free well-water pump house? Keeping it in the dark and only a very small amount of water (just to keep the roots alive), it won't sprout again until you bring it back into light and more warmth.

Either way is ok.

Re your 'winter wind chill' factor. As long as the plant is well established in the ground and do not be tempted to cut it down to ground level in the Fall when you are having a 'tidy-up' (that old foliage protects the crown of the fuchsia plant against frost during the winter months). Trimming back the old growth to no less than 18 inches is ok, this stops strong wind from 'rocking' the plant about.  The following Spring when you see new growth coming out of the ground is the time to cut the previous years foliage back to the ground.

Kath
UK - Zone 8

"Patience is a virtue"