A question about our fuschia....

[mint]

First of all, let me give you a little background to my question as I don't want to give the impression that I am unnecessarily fussing about the new fuschia.

Last summer, at a specialist grower's, I bought a beautiful fuschia with tiny but prolific flowers (it was called Cardinal Something?).  Put it straight into the ground where it was happy as Larry, grew tons of flowers well into November.

Then, in the early spring, it woke up and started putting out loads of buds.  Then the Big Freeze came and the poor thing shrivelled up and gave up the ghost (as did a few of our other well-loved plants).

A couple of weeks ago, fuschias were on promo in Lidl and we bought a lively looking one with pink and mauve flowers (could be California Dreamer but not sure as there was no label).

During the recent orages, I brought it indoors and put it on the verandah.  A few buds dropped off but then it picked up and is now flowering and, if it had a voice, I am sure it would be humming and singing.  I put it outdoors on sunny days though we haven't had many of those so far these last few weeks.

So.....to the present question:  should I put it in the ground now it's settled in and looking happy or should I leave it till it's finished flowering?

I'd hate to lose this one as it's so beautiful and brightens up breakfast as I sip my coffee on the verandah and admire it.

Pads, I bet you know the answer to this one?

[Loiseau]

Are you sure the first one is thoroughly dead, Sweets? They can lie doggo for a bit and then surprise you by producing yet more shoots at the base.

[WHISPER: if you remember that the plant is called after Mr Fuchs, it's easier to spell its name!]

Angela

[pachapapa]

[quote user="Loiseau"]Are you sure the first one is thoroughly dead, Sweets? They can lie doggo for a bit and then surprise you by producing yet more shoots at the base. [WHISPER: if you remember that the plant is called after Mr Fuchs, it's easier to spell its name!] Angela[/quote]

Ahh! That Mr Fox.[:)]

[Pommier]

I wouldn't plant out any fuchsia other than the hardy variety (with small pink flowers). I've found that the other sorts can't take the cold of winter even in the UK, let alone in Dordogne. 

[mint]

Will have another look at the dead FUCHsia!  Thanks, Angela [:)]

Pommier, I never had problems with fuchsias in south Wales though we did live near the sea and that's supposed to moderate the winter.

Anyway, when DO I put it in the ground?

 

[Pommier]

Probably being by the sea kept the worst of the cold off your fuchsias sweet 17. If you want to plant it out, I'd treat it the same as bedding ie plant it out once you think there won't be any more frost.

[Keni]

When we bought this place 9 years ago, there was a large flowering pink fuchsia in the front and a tiny flowered one out back. They must have already been at least 10 years old. They have survived every year, but with the warm autumn/early winter, didn't die off, and when freeze came, they both died back. Now the small one at back is already springing up, looks alright, but the one out front looks like it's succumbed as it's weeping a sort of pink/orange jelly, presume it's a rot of some kind.

Pity as I think they were planted by the lady of the house, who died quite some years ago.[:(]

[Gardian]

[quote user="sweet 17"]

Anyway, when DO I put it in the ground?

[/quote]

Maybe not at all.

We used to grow multiple varieties when we were in the UK (there was a specialist nursery nearby) and always potted them ............. when I say "potted", I really mean some sort of container according to the variety (hanging basket, pot, or climbing medium).

Sadly, they just don't work down here: it's just too hot for them.  Hopefully it's a little more temperate where you are.