Pacific Northwest Garden Forum: fushia

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skymogel
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Joined: Jan-26-2011
Location: Washington, Western
Posts: 24

Topic: fushia
Posted: May-21-2011 at 8:22am

Hello to you fushia guru's
I bought 2 gorgeous hanging fushia plants "first love" and "red spider" a week later I have noticed both have green under the stems but the leaves are developing a very light brown color and dry, they crumble. the flowers also look as if they have no water I have kept them moist all this time....I would hate to lose these beauties the red spider looks much worse....
any help or ideas out there would be appreciated

thanks, terrym

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greenmann
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Joined: Jan-13-2006
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posts: 534

Posted: May-26-2011 at 2:19pm

two things are possibly happening here-

1) and most important, these were in full flower because they had been forced in a nursery greenhouse. Despite the few days of sun and warmth that got most of us excited, and plants out in the garden hopping, its still pretty cool out, especially at night. My guess is these were not properly hardened off/acclimatized to outside, and some of what you are seeing is a combination of sun burn and a reaction to the cold nights and cool days when its not sunny. These will pass soon enough. If the new growth comes in and gets fried too, try giving it a little more shade. Most fuchsias are sun tolerant around here, especially this time of year, but there are limits. They don't want to be in deep shade, but they do like a happy medium.

2) be careful that you are not also seeing a fungal problem from them being TOO wet all the time. Fungal infections of the roots basically kill the roots, leaving the plant with little ability to intake moisture. Soggy soils will prevent new roots from growing much on the few healthy roots left, too. Fuchsias like to stay evenly moist to just barely on the dry side. They DON'T like being soggy wet all the time. If the soil is soggy enough that when you poke your finger into it water comes up to the surface, stop watering till it has had a chance to dry out a bit. You can even tip the pot a bit on its side and see if it will drain a little more. Hopefully this isn't your problem, though, and you just need to be patient for the sunburned leaves to give over to a new set more acclimatized to your conditions.

Green Man Gardens
design and consulting with a focus on native plants and wildlife habitat

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skymogel
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Joined: Jan-26-2011
Location: Washington, Western
Posts: 24

Posted: May-30-2011 at 1:00pm

Thankyou greenmann
I was beginning to think that I would not receive any responses.......I believe you are on the money with the second response...the leaves looked really sick. I actually took the fushias back to costco and bought two pink varieties these are doing much better. also the first batch were in cedar boxes these are in a egg carton type material which I prefer..
I will heed your recommendations regarding water.
thanks again for your help

terrym

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greenmann
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Joined: Jan-13-2006
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posts: 534

Posted: Jun-02-2011 at 4:00pm

Your welcome, glad I could be of help. I looked at the ones they had at Costco, but they were all those big blousy doubles. Not my thing, and since I want them mostly for the hummers, not something I want to bring home for them either. With so many petals all crammed into the flower, even if there is nectar the birds (and bees) can't get at it. I have had good luck with 'Red Spider' attracting hummers in the past though. Anyway, hope you have better luck with the second batch!

Green Man Gardens
design and consulting with a focus on native plants and wildlife habitat

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Author	Message
skymogel none Joined: Jan-26-2011 Location: Washington, Western Posts: 24	Topic: fushia Posted: May-21-2011 at 8:22am
	Hello to you fushia guru's I bought 2 gorgeous hanging fushia plants "first love" and "red spider" a week later I have noticed both have green under the stems but the leaves are developing a very light brown color and dry, they crumble. the flowers also look as if they have no water I have kept them moist all this time....I would hate to lose these beauties the red spider looks much worse.... any help or ideas out there would be appreciated thanks, terrym

	IP Logged

greenmann none Joined: Jan-13-2006 Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor Posts: 534	Posted: May-26-2011 at 2:19pm
	two things are possibly happening here- 1) and most important, these were in full flower because they had been forced in a nursery greenhouse. Despite the few days of sun and warmth that got most of us excited, and plants out in the garden hopping, its still pretty cool out, especially at night. My guess is these were not properly hardened off/acclimatized to outside, and some of what you are seeing is a combination of sun burn and a reaction to the cold nights and cool days when its not sunny. These will pass soon enough. If the new growth comes in and gets fried too, try giving it a little more shade. Most fuchsias are sun tolerant around here, especially this time of year, but there are limits. They don't want to be in deep shade, but they do like a happy medium. 2) be careful that you are not also seeing a fungal problem from them being TOO wet all the time. Fungal infections of the roots basically kill the roots, leaving the plant with little ability to intake moisture. Soggy soils will prevent new roots from growing much on the few healthy roots left, too. Fuchsias like to stay evenly moist to just barely on the dry side. They DON'T like being soggy wet all the time. If the soil is soggy enough that when you poke your finger into it water comes up to the surface, stop watering till it has had a chance to dry out a bit. You can even tip the pot a bit on its side and see if it will drain a little more. Hopefully this isn't your problem, though, and you just need to be patient for the sunburned leaves to give over to a new set more acclimatized to your conditions.
	Green Man Gardens design and consulting with a focus on native plants and wildlife habitat
	IP Logged

skymogel none Joined: Jan-26-2011 Location: Washington, Western Posts: 24	Posted: May-30-2011 at 1:00pm
	Thankyou greenmann I was beginning to think that I would not receive any responses.......I believe you are on the money with the second response...the leaves looked really sick. I actually took the fushias back to costco and bought two pink varieties these are doing much better. also the first batch were in cedar boxes these are in a egg carton type material which I prefer.. I will heed your recommendations regarding water. thanks again for your help terrym
	IP Logged

greenmann none Joined: Jan-13-2006 Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor Posts: 534	Posted: Jun-02-2011 at 4:00pm
	Your welcome, glad I could be of help. I looked at the ones they had at Costco, but they were all those big blousy doubles. Not my thing, and since I want them mostly for the hummers, not something I want to bring home for them either. With so many petals all crammed into the flower, even if there is nectar the birds (and bees) can't get at it. I have had good luck with 'Red Spider' attracting hummers in the past though. Anyway, hope you have better luck with the second batch!
	Green Man Gardens design and consulting with a focus on native plants and wildlife habitat
	IP Logged

Topic: fushia