Controlling the growth and thus the shape of the plant.
Increasing flower production potential.

These two statements are the basic purposes of pinching. If the grower expects to have healthy, well-formed and well bloomed plants, a serious pinching program is essential. It is only through this type of program that these conditions can be controlled. The development and implementation of a successful pinching program is not diffi cult if the following principles are kept in mind. 1. Flower production occurs at the tips of new growth. If new growth is increased the potential for flowering is increased. 2. Dormant buds are situated on the stem at the base of each leaf. This area is known as the leaf node. 3. Fuchsias usually develop two opposite leaves at each leaf node and thus two dormant buds. 4. When a branch or stem is cut off (pinched) new growth usually emanates from the dormant buds on the nodes nearest the cut. This characteristic allows the controlled increase in the number of branches. For example, if the stem is pinched above a node containing two dormant buds then the plant will grow two new branches from one. If these branches are pinched the resultant growth will be four branches. Each pinching should double the number of branches. Hence the title: 2 : 4 : 8 : 16 : 32.

From the official newsletter of The West Australian Fuchsia Society, June 2007