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Fuchsia is a genus of around 100 species, with uncountable cultivars and hybrids, ranging from evergreen to
deciduous spreading or climbing shrubs, and even a few medium sized trees. Only a few are suitable for bonsai, as
many of the hybrids and cultivars have leaves that are far too large and do not reduce satisfactorily. Most species
are native to South and Central America, though some are also found natively in New Zealand and one species to
Tahiti. Foliage is bright, medium or dark green, occurring in whorls, either alternate or opposite depending on the
species. The bark is papery, ranging in colour from cream and buff, to an orange red, and will sometimes adopt an
aged appearance, even relatively young, when growth is restricted. They are best known for their pendulous,
brightly coloured tubular flowers. Flowers will give way to berries with excessive seeds if not dead headed at the
end of the flowering season.
Hardiness: In the winter maintain at a temperature between 40F-50F. These plants do best with a period of
dormancy, but will experience excessive dieback due to frost if not cared for properly. When grown in a pot, the
roots can die if allowed to freeze. Some species will lose their leaves during dormancy, others will keep them, and
those factors can also depend on growing conditions.
Light: Full sun or partial shade. Protect from drying winds. Keep pots shaded in the midday during the summer.
Soil: Slightly higher organic content than inorganic. Ensure good drainage.
Watering: Keep moist, but not sodden, during growth. Lessen watering during dormancy, though trees that retain
their leaves will need more water than trees that drop their leaves. Fuchsia like humidity, and will benefit from a
humidity tray.
Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer through spring. Switch to a low nitrogen in summer, and top off with a dose of
nitrogen free in the autumn.
Pests and Diseases: Black spot fungus. Aphids, scale, red spider mite.
Repotting: Every year to two years.
Pruning and Styling: Fuchsia produce flowers on current years growth. Pruning should be carried out in late
winter or early spring, so as not to jeopardize that season's flowering. Cutting back further than you would if
cutting to shape allows room for the pendulous blossoms, without allowing it to outgrow the desired overall shape
of the tree. When shoots are six or seven pairs of leaves long, cut back to four or five pairs, then again to one or
two pairs after flowering is complete. New shoots grow from the base of leaves. Do not carrying out the second
pruning too late in the season (late summer on), as the new shoots that grow will not have time to harden enough
to survive the winter, and it will waste the tree's energy.
Wire any time of year, though take care, as the branches are brittle and snap easily.
Propagation: Seeds. Cuttings (especially from cultivars, as they are not always true to seed). Softwood cuttings in
spring, or half hardened in late summer.
Styles and Forms: Clump, multi-trunk, informal upright
Species and Cultivars: F. microphylla The species best suited for bonsai cultivation. Small leaves and equally small
flowers that bloom in summer.
Other Information:
deciduous spreading or climbing shrubs, and even a few medium sized trees. Only a few are suitable for bonsai, as
many of the hybrids and cultivars have leaves that are far too large and do not reduce satisfactorily. Most species
are native to South and Central America, though some are also found natively in New Zealand and one species to
Tahiti. Foliage is bright, medium or dark green, occurring in whorls, either alternate or opposite depending on the
species. The bark is papery, ranging in colour from cream and buff, to an orange red, and will sometimes adopt an
aged appearance, even relatively young, when growth is restricted. They are best known for their pendulous,
brightly coloured tubular flowers. Flowers will give way to berries with excessive seeds if not dead headed at the
end of the flowering season.
Hardiness: In the winter maintain at a temperature between 40F-50F. These plants do best with a period of
dormancy, but will experience excessive dieback due to frost if not cared for properly. When grown in a pot, the
roots can die if allowed to freeze. Some species will lose their leaves during dormancy, others will keep them, and
those factors can also depend on growing conditions.
Light: Full sun or partial shade. Protect from drying winds. Keep pots shaded in the midday during the summer.
Soil: Slightly higher organic content than inorganic. Ensure good drainage.
Watering: Keep moist, but not sodden, during growth. Lessen watering during dormancy, though trees that retain
their leaves will need more water than trees that drop their leaves. Fuchsia like humidity, and will benefit from a
humidity tray.
Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer through spring. Switch to a low nitrogen in summer, and top off with a dose of
nitrogen free in the autumn.
Pests and Diseases: Black spot fungus. Aphids, scale, red spider mite.
Repotting: Every year to two years.
Pruning and Styling: Fuchsia produce flowers on current years growth. Pruning should be carried out in late
winter or early spring, so as not to jeopardize that season's flowering. Cutting back further than you would if
cutting to shape allows room for the pendulous blossoms, without allowing it to outgrow the desired overall shape
of the tree. When shoots are six or seven pairs of leaves long, cut back to four or five pairs, then again to one or
two pairs after flowering is complete. New shoots grow from the base of leaves. Do not carrying out the second
pruning too late in the season (late summer on), as the new shoots that grow will not have time to harden enough
to survive the winter, and it will waste the tree's energy.
Wire any time of year, though take care, as the branches are brittle and snap easily.
Propagation: Seeds. Cuttings (especially from cultivars, as they are not always true to seed). Softwood cuttings in
spring, or half hardened in late summer.
Styles and Forms: Clump, multi-trunk, informal upright
Species and Cultivars: F. microphylla The species best suited for bonsai cultivation. Small leaves and equally small
flowers that bloom in summer.
Other Information:
Fuchsia