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How to renovate a Fuschia?

Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
edited August 2020 in Plants
This is a container Fuschia back in 2016, looking beautiful.

https://mobile.twitter.com/mattwardman/status/1297559051937763331

Here is the same one after a couple of years neglect.

Is there anything needed to help this recover, beyond tlc, a feed, a repot and a prune in the autumn?

https://mobile.twitter.com/mattwardman/status/1297509466099929088

https://mobile.twitter.com/mattwardman/status/1297515724215390208

cheers

Ferdinand
“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
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  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    edited August 2020
    Hmmm. Strange .. info thread says that Twitter should embed.
    Will try again later.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    No pics. Fuchsia should be pruned in April not Autumn.
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    Here are the pictures from a direct upload.

    2016, and how I would like to get it back to - or perhaps a little larger.



    Now:



    Thanks for any comments.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,497
    Has it been re-potted since 2016?
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,052
    No matter what type they are, any plant needs attention in a pot. As @madpenguin says - has it ever been repotted? The soil level is very low in the pot too.

    Has it had the soil refreshed? Does it get fed? Compost alone is no use either if it's staying in a pot. 
    It's entirely reliant on you for it's care.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,882
    I would leave it for now,  it will start to die down next month and by October probably have dropped most of it leaves.
    Then, strip off any leaves left on, put it in the greenhouse and round about March it should show small leaf buts near to the compost,  cut it back to the lower leaf buds then repot it,  keep it watered, give it some tomato feed when it starts to flower. 
    Should be ok for next year. 

    Incidentally,   Is that it’s roots showing on the top of the compost or just something blow in.   Fuchsias like their roots kept cool and damp 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    edited August 2020
    It has had absolutely nothing done to it for at least 15-18 months and probably 2 years. :neutral: . Except maybe a sprinkle with the hose up to 12 months ago, and maybe a touch this summer.

    It's an inherited one that tbh I only just rediscovered after mum passed away late last year. Had others things on my plate too this year.

    It had a feed last week when I managed to move it from the shaded corner where it had been lurking.

    So TLC indicated.

    So it is probably repot with a GP compost (or at least topdress), perhaps back into the same pot with replaced / extra compost, then feed it and water to see what happens over the last 2 months of the growing season?

    (Should I repot now or top dress? I think if I take it out of the pot to check the root system the compost may disintegrate.) I think I am inclined to do that and replace anything that falls off with new compost, and attach it to my drip-water system.

    Then take a check in the spring and plan to prune.


    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    edited August 2020
    it has been in the front s facing garden since last Thursday, fed and watered, and there already seem to be some brand new leaves. A sign of hope, though it has of course generated some flowers this year even under neglect.

    Greenhouse ? :smile:

    It may make it into the smallish N facing conservatory where I do my micro greens.



    Thanks all.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    edited August 2020
    So it is renovated for the autumn.

    Half a bucket of compost carefully removed, which allowed me to confirm a probable decent route system.
    A full bucket of new added back.
    Some river pebbles around it to keep it cooler and less-evaporating.
    Can of rainwater.

    Will be added to my watering system when I am next out there.

    Repot due next spring.

    F








    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    edited September 2020
    I have a supplementary question on this Fushcia.

    It is now putting out new growth like gangbusters as it has had a bit of tlc, and scores of flower buds.

    At this point should I let this flower, and feed a bit to support the plant, or should I deflower it so that growth goes into a stronger plant next year?

    (Will try to drop a photo in when the Apple is no longer on charge.)

    Cheers

    F


    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
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