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Overwintering a Fuchsia Standard

Brian@GardenHouseBrian@GardenHouse Posts: 3
in Plants
Hello - I purchased an established fuschia standard in May, and have recently brought it into the greenhouse to overwinter. I’m not sure if I should prune it or not before leaving it for the rest of the winter. Could anyone offer me some advice please as I seem to get conflicting information on the web. Thank you. Brian. 

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,496
    Do you know which Fuchsia it is ?  There are hardy and less hardy varieties and how you deal with them depends on that and your location too of course :)
  • Brian@GardenHouseBrian@GardenHouse Posts: 3
    It’s an “Elma Standard”. I was told by the garden centre they were hardy but the one I bought last year died in the winter frosts!  Hence I’m bringing my new one into the greenhouse in a container this year. We live in Surrey England but in the countryside ( not a town)  Thanks for any advice. 
  • AngelicantAngelicant Posts: 130
    I don't prune my fuschias before winter. Hardy ones are left where they are planted and non hardy are tucked in next to the fence under/behind shrubs for a bit of protection just in their pots then trimmed up in spring when new growth starts.
  • brianherbert150z9j0TqGGbrianherbert150z9j0TqGG Posts: 2
    Thank you very much. i do the same with my regular fuschia plants, but this one is a "Standard" variety with a very upright stem and growing habit (the stem is about 90cm before the flowering crown ( another 30cm) of the fuchsia. It's about 120cm tall in a container. ( Still fully in flower!). I can't determine whether it should be cut back or not over winter, or just left alone with a light trim. ( I tend to cut my regular non hardy fuschias back by two thirds before overwintering). I should have bought two plants and left one and cut back the other!!
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,124
    I think you prune the head of a standard as if it were a bush, leaving the "trunk" alone. I would leave it until spring like I do with bush fuchsias - the old growth provides a bit of protection, but I don't have a greenhouse so mine are all hardy varieties. Unless the greenhouse is kept warm (not just frost-free) yours will go dormant and lose its leaves. At that point you could trim it a little if it's taking up too much space.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,124
    Google came up with this, which suggests autumn pruning for overwintering under glass, with a diagram showing how to prune http://www.salfordboltonfuchsiasociety.co.uk/fabulous/g_standb.htm
    It also covers what to do in spring (regular pinching out of the new growth to make  the head bushy so you get more flowers).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • brianherbert150z9j0TqGGbrianherbert150z9j0TqGG Posts: 2
    Thank you so much Jenny - and to the Salford & Bolton Fuschia society! I never saw this when trying to research - clearly shows I am no good at researching! All my questions ( and more) are answered. very much appreciated.
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