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SENSEI?
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You are correct. The size of leaves can be reduced by using bonsai techniques but flowers and fruit are always the same as on the normal plant or tree.
My name is Don and I'm a bonsaiholic.
My imaginary friend Givitago takes over when I'm not sure of myself in print. He's not a complete fool - several bits are missing.
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 25/08/2009 00:47:48
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 Gracias, Don. I'm actually more interested in the exposed roots and superstructure of fuchsia than their flowers. I'm finding I can get some dramatic effects for both the former in a relatively short time in this part of Mexico.
Patzcuarense
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Genius
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| A wonderful specimen of 'roots over rock' Patzcuarense. When growing fuchsia plants from cuttings, intended later for bonsaiwork, I always make sure that the bottom 2 inches of the stem (later trunk), is always also covered with soil, this seems to encourage more 'upper' roots to grow, later intended for surface-roots.
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
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Junior Member
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| Thanks for the 2" planting depth tip, Kath. I don't know if it has to do with the soil quality here or the weather, etc., but all I need to do is clip off an interesting top of a fuchsia, stick it in a pot of soil - as long as the woody process hasn't begun at the base - and 99% of the time, it takes off. I found this poor specimen almost completely hidden by iris in the garden (I kind of, um, forgot about it...). It's at least 2 years old and has developed a good root system, but the SHAPE "doesn't work" very well. (Also, IT WON'T STOP FLOWERING FOR A MOMENT.) Any suggestions? "Patience is a virtue" - what a PERFECT quotation in "this line of work"!
Patzcuarense
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Genius
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| The wood, growth and foliage look similar to a Magellanica type fuchsia, but not the flower, so that doesn't help you much and it's impossible to stop them flowering if they want to. You could try cutting it back even further, (suggestion below), if possible just above a node, this would help to give it a better shape and encourage new growth lower down, which could also be re-shaped later on. Maybe even a possibility to remove a bit more soil around the existing trunk to see if there are further suitable roots for use above soil level! 
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
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Junior Member
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| [GULP!] Here goes nothing! Of course, your suggestion is the best. It's just traumatic to me - not to mention to the plant! - to do such a serious trimming job. But I'm up to it, and I think the plant is, also. Another question: I'm starting to use baby tears for ground cover, and have even put grass seed around one tree. Is this eventually going to "strangle" the roots of the trees? I hope not, because the baby tears LOOKS so nice, and it trims like a dream. Thanks again, Kath, and thanks for your very interesting site. [a couple hours later...] Done! posting an image. I was frowning the whole time, but it is an obvious improvement. It went straight into the carport to recuperate!
Patzcuarense
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Junior Member
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| PS. Sorry, I didn't see your cutting suggestions until just now (after the fact). Seems like our thoughts on the cutting were not too awfully different, eh? Thanks again.
Patzcuarense
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SENSEI?
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| Patzcuarense
Forgive me for being blunt but any plant around your trees is going to prove detrimental in the long term. Grass is definately not a good idea.
Please do not take offence. =Don.
My name is Don and I'm a bonsaiholic.
My imaginary friend Givitago takes over when I'm not sure of myself in print. He's not a complete fool - several bits are missing.
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Junior Member
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| Good heavens! No offence taken, Don, but inquiring minds want to know: Can you be specific about the damage it would do? I imagine it has to do with too much root competition between the tree and the ground cover? I've already introduced babytears into half of my bonsais, and if it's going to be fatal to the trees, I need to yank it all out forthwith! Thanks for your input.
Patzcuarense
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Junior Member
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| Don: I forgot to add: Half of the reason I have introduced babytears into the plants is that it lessen the drying effects of the sun here in Mexico. Without some sort of protection, the soil dries out and I have to water 3 times a day. I haven't found a moss down here suitable for this purpose.
Patzcuarense
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