Fuchsia bonsai care

2.2K

Fuchsia has hundreds of species and thousands of cultivators. Different varieties of Fuchsia trees produce flowers with stunning colors such as red, white, orange, purple and shades of pink.

Fuchsia varieties with large leaves and overly flamboyant flowers are not used to make bonsai trees.

It is often the small-leaved varieties with charming summer flowers, such as Fuchsia microphylla, that are used for bonsai.

This is a half-hardy and tender plant, and with their tiny leaves they make an excellent small indoor bonsai.

Its papery bark can range in color from brown to orange-red. Even young Fuchsia bonsai trees are capable of giving an appearance of age and maturity because of restricted growth in bonsai.

Best location to keep Fuchsia Bonsai

Fuchsia trees are commonly found in mountainous areas. In spite of the fact that some species and cultivars are hardy, the majority are tender or, at best, half-hardy.

Keep the tree in full sun. In indoor settings, in the growing season, they will thrive in a bright location, such as on a sunny windowsill (south or west facing).

During the winter, light is less important when the plant is dormant.

In order to thrive, tender fuchsias need a warm environment between 59 to 68°F (15 to 20°C).

On the other hand, it is best to keep hardy and half-hardy plants at a temperature of 41-59°F (5-15°C) during the winter months.

The foliage of fuchsias will remain evergreen throughout the year if the temperatures remain above 41°F (5°C).

Refer sunlight requirements for indoor plants for more indoor gardening ideas. Also, refer to do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas.

Propagation of Fuchsia

Fuchsia tree can be propagated by using softwood cuttings in summer or spring.

Watering Fuchsia Bonsai

Fuchsias should not be allowed to dry out.

During the growing season, water the bonsai soil regularly and keep it barely moist in winter.

In winter, allow the soil to dry between watering sessions.

It is recommended to mist the tree if the room has a very dry atmosphere. In summer, fuchsias appreciate being sprayed with fresh water daily, and in winter, less frequently.

Read watering bonsai tree for more details.

Wiring Fuchsia Bonsai

Fuchsia bonsai tree can be wire trained at any time, but its branches are very brittle and are easy to snap.

Winter is the best time to wire the branches, and the soil should be dry for a day or two beforehand.

By limiting the watering, plants will have less water in their cells, which will make their branches more flexible.

Pruning Fuchsia Bonsai

When to prune Fuchsia bonsai?

How to prune Fuchsia bonsai?

Early spring is the best time to prune fuchsias since they flower on the current season’s shoots.

The branches should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Prune all the shoots back hard.

In summer, when each shoot has six or seven pairs of leaves, you can cut it back to four or five pairs. A shoot can be cut back again once it has finished flowering, leaving only one pair of leaves.

Pinching Fuchsia Bonsai

Throughout the growing season, pinch out new shoots constantly.

Be careful not to remove too many flower buds when pinching out new shoots.

Repotting Fuchsia Bonsai

When to repot Fuchsia bonsai?

It is necessary to repot the Fuchsia bonsai tree every year, between early spring and late summer. This is because the tree is a vigorous grower.

In addition, repot your tree if it has become pot bound.

You can use a moisture retentive and free-draining, bonsai soil mix. Use a lot of organic matter for moisture retention.

OR

You can also use a soil mix consisting of 40% grit and 60% organic matter.

OR

Make your own soil mix by mixing sharp sand, peat (or compost) and loam in the ratio of 1:3:1.

Must Read: Bonsai Soil Recipes

Must read : Choosing the right bonsai container

Feeding Fuchsia Bonsai

The fuchsia tree is a voracious feeder.

You should feed your plants every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer high in nitrogen during the growing season.

A low-nitrogen fertilizer should be used when the trees are flowering.

Occasionally feeding these plants with foliar feeds will also be beneficial.

By the end of summer, stop feeding.

Read more about applying fertilizer to bonsai in bonsai fertilizer and its application.

Diseases and pest of Fuchsia Bonsai

Early spring to late summer is the prime time for aphid infestation on fuchsia trees. Apply a gentle insecticide to infested plants.

Red spidermites and scale insects can also be problematic. Especially when the tree is grown indoors.

Plants that are not properly watered can also suffer from mildew. Apply an appropriate fungicide after removing infected leaves. Burn the leaves after cutting them.

Also, the black spot fungus causes minor attacks.

Fuchsia bonsai care

In summer, when they grow rapidly and flower, fuchsia trees require plenty of attention. During fall and winter, when they are dormant, they are less demanding.

If you prune again from late summer onward, you will not be able to get a second flush of flowers before fall, and the new shoots you get won’t be strong enough to survive the winter.

The majority of fuchsias grow well in the ground, but in cold winters they die down. However, if subjected to frost, the roots of the fuchsia tree will die when grown in a container. Hence, it should be considered as tender.

Depending on the growing conditions, they may lose some or all of their leaves during dormancy. It is critical to keep in mind that plants with leaves will require more water during this period.

What to look for when buying Fuchsia Bonsai

While making a purchase, look for an example which has small leaves and flowers.

The branches of a fuchsia tree will die if not kept in good condition. Avoid a bonsai specimen with dead branches. It is highly likely that the tree has weak roots.

The trunk characteristics of many homegrown fuchsia bonsai may not be as interesting as those found in imported trees, so make sure you find the best of the lot.