I haven't been here in a while as I tend to lurk in another well known place but I thought this would be the place to come for some expert fuchsia advice.

For the last couple of years I had the tiniest little fuchsia bonsai (about 4" tall) constantly covered in 1/4" red flowers, often followed by little black fruits. I brought it inside during the long cold winter and kept it happily in our unheated utility room where there is a semi transparent roof so lots of daylight. All was well until a few warm days dried it out without me noticing and now it is well and truly dead.

I tracked down a local specialist grower who had some microphyllia varieties and bought a couple of Lottie Hobby and an Oulton Travellers Rest. They are all growing happily indoors at the moment but my question is are they hardy? and if not when / how should I be hardening them? I would like to grow at least one as a bonsai standard (preferably no more than 6" tall) and the other two I'll wait and see what shape they are. They all currently have lots of stems from one centre (like a bush). Should I be selecting one as a trunk now and removing the rest or do they just need to grow on for a year or two?

Hope you can help

Thanks

Daryl

Some of the microphylla types are hardy and some are not. It really all depends on what part of the country you are (sorry can't remember where you are located), but if I were you I would grow on a cutting into a 5" pot size and then plant it into the garden, this way if it does not survive you won't loose your main plant. If it does survive they grow into quite large bushes.

In respect of hardening your exisitng plants off, put them outside during the day in a sheltered spot and bring them in at night. You can leave them outside once all risk of night frost has gone.

I always grow my on as they are for a year or two Daryl as they don't take kindly to being cut back as young plants.

Wishing you success, they do make nice bonsai as they naturally have small leaves and flowers.

Kath
UK - Zone 8

"Patience is a virtue"

I'm in Surrey and its very cold today so I have kept them in! The plants I have bought are not much more than cuttings themselves at the moment in 3" pots so I'll follow your advice for now and just keep repotting until next year. And in the meantime I'll keep a look out for somewhere that sells more mature plants that I could start training straight away.

Looking at you photo galleries is very inspiring - they do look so pretty when they are in flower. I must be patient!

Will keep you posted.

Thanks again

Daryl

Daryl

Today when I was out at a garden centre I found a huge microphylla bush about 2' across, masses of long healthy growth so I snapped it up and brought it home. When I was checking it over when I got home I found a broken branch and wondered if it is possible to make it take root at this time of year - ready made tree! Its about 15" long and about 1/4" thick, hardened wood at the broken end.

I've put it in a glass of water for now but wondered if it could be rooted and what would be the best method.

Any suggestions?

Next year when you put pots of fuchsia outside, a shady place is best to avoid sun scorching of the leaves. Morning sun is ok, but not hot pm sun, especially if there is not much air circulation, they literally 'cook' in the pots, especially plastic pots.

In respect of the broken branch, your best option would be:-  first make sure you have cut the bottom of the stem with a sharp knife just below a node, then shorten the branch by removing some of the top so you're left with aprrox. 10 inches in total, plant 5 inches deep into the garden in a shady spot and keep soil damp (hardwood cutting) or of course you could plant it into a large flower pot if that's more convenient.

Kath
UK - Zone 8

"Patience is a virtue"

Does it matter if the cut is straight or angled?

What kind of soil - ordinary cutting compost or add some grit / sand / perlite or similar? (I think I have a bit of everything in my shed )

I always cut straight across the stem/branch, and I use a John Innes type compost for hardwood cuttings, but if you only have 'cuttings compost' it doesn't matter, just add some sand and grit

Kath
UK - Zone 8

"Patience is a virtue"