My answer to those who ask becomes somewhat convoluted. I really don’t intend a difficult answer to a simple question. The fact is it’s not a simple question. I grow plants year round, but primarily through the winter because some yoyo determined that fuchsias are Mother’s Day plants. That’s a whole other story, but how I grow fuchsias through the winter is radically different than how I grow them in the spring, summer or fall. Low light and temperature in the winter, necessitates a different fertility and water regimen than that of spring or summer. I grow my upright bushes differently than my baskets. Starts are grown in a different type of soil than the bigger plants. Container plants are treated differently than those planted in the ground. Tools and products I use as a nurseryman with an acre of greenhouses are quite often not the same that are readily available to the person with a hobby greenhouse in the back yard. There are climate differences. Our little house on the prairie is colder and windier than it is the short distance into town, let alone the real difference there is between here and central California.

It’s all these differences though that makes each and every place fuchsias are grown, unique. Just like the uniqueness of the people growing them. Therein lies the most important thing that I’ve learned. For every person growing fuchsias, there is a unique way to grow them. There is no absolute method. It’s not all that difficult though.

Growing fuchsias boils down to some very basic premises. Whether your fuchsias are in containers or in the ground, they are heavy feeding plants. They grow well when the night temperature doesn’t fall below 45-50 degrees or daytime temperatures exceed 80-85 degrees. They do not like their roots to get hot. They enjoy humidity but don’t like to stay wet for long periods or have soggy soil.

Realize these basic premises and find what makes your place unique. Glean information that is appropriate to your conditions. Learn to adjust to your unique conditions. For example, if you are in a cool wet area or grow your plants through the cool wet time of year, you are probably looking for ways to avoid soggy growing conditions. You would be looking for a loose, well draining soil that didn’t promote water retention. On the other hand if you’re in a real dry area, you would probably be looking for a way to increase moisture retention in the soil. I’m a real proponent of planting fuchsias deep in the ground. The insulation factor from the soil helps keep the plant from freezing in the winter. It also insulates the roots in the summer from getting too hot.

Try to be consistent. If you are potting baskets, use the same potting mix throughout. Fertilize them consistently (with the amount appropriate for the size of container). That makes your job of watering consistent and you know where you are at any time with any of your baskets. Avoid making wide scale changes mid season, although trials are good so you can compare (just remember where your trials are). If you use slow release fertilizer use it according to the directions. If it says it’s a 60 day material use it every 60 days. If you are using water soluble, use it lightly every other time you water or medium strength once a week. Just be consistent. The place I’ve seen more people in trouble is where they are trying to do too many things at the same time, with no clear direction. I’m growing my plants like Joe this week, but last week I was growing them like Martha. When there isn’t consistency among the different plants, management of those plants becomes exceedingly difficult.

So how do I grow my fuchsias? The best that I can…given my conditions. But it’s just the way I do it…not the only way.