Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' (d)

Water

Lady's eardrops, commonly known as Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle', prefer consistent moisture, so it's important to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water the plant thoroughly approximately twice a week, but adjust based on temperature and humidity levels. Make sure the top inch of soil dries out slightly before the next watering. Generally, you can provide about one gallon of water per week to maintain proper moisture levels. In hotter months or if the plant is in a windier location, you might need to water more frequently to prevent the soil from drying out completely.

Light

Lady's eardrops thrive in bright, indirect light with protection from the intense afternoon sun. A spot that receives morning sunlight with dappled shade in the afternoon is ideal. Indoors, place the plant near a window with sheer curtains to diffuse the light, ensuring it doesn't receive direct sun that could scorch its leaves.

Temperature

Lady's eardrops do best in cool to moderate temperatures and should be protected from extreme heat. The ideal temperature range for Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' is between 60°F and 75°F. These plants can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 40°F but should be sheltered from frost. Maximum temperatures shouldn't exceed 85°F for prolonged periods, as high heat can cause stress and damage to the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Lady's eardrops encourages bushier growth and more flowers. After the main blooming season, cut back about a third of the plant to promote healthy new growth. Prune out any dead or diseased wood as needed throughout the year, and deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' thrives in a soil mix that is rich, moist, and well-draining with a pH range between 6 and 7. A good mix can consist of 1 part peat, 1 part loam, and 1 part perlite or sand to improve drainage.

Repotting

Fuchsias, including 'Brookwood Belle', generally need repotting every 2-3 years, or when they outgrow their current pot. It's best to repot in the spring.

Humidity & Misting

Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' prefers high humidity levels, ideally between 60-70%. To maintain these levels, especially indoors, a humidifier or regular misting can be helpful.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure high humidity for indoor Fuchsia.

• Outdoor

  Use a shady spot, protect from wind, and keep soil consistently moist for outdoor Fuchsia.

• Hardiness zone

  6-9 USDA.

Life cycle

Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in damp, well-draining soil with partial shade once exposed to the appropriate environmental conditions. As a young plant, it rapidly develops roots and shoots, in optimal conditions, progressing to a bushy growth habit with vibrant green, ovate leaves. During the flowering season, which typically spans from spring through fall, it produces hanging, trumpet-shaped flowers, with a fusion of purple and pink hues that attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees. After pollination, if successful, the flowers will give way to small, dark-colored berries that contain seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. As a perennial, Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle' enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, where growth slows dramatically and it may lose some or all of its leaves depending on the severity of the winter. With the return of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours in spring, the plant emerges from dormancy, sprouting new growth and beginning its cycle anew.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle', commonly known as fuchsia, is generally propagated during late winter to early spring, just before new growth begins. The most popular method is through softwood cuttings, which are taken from new growth that is not yet firm. A gardener would typically cut a 2 to 4-inch (5 to 10 centimeters) long stem, just above a set of leaves, and remove the bottom half of the leaves to expose the nodes. The base of the cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a mixture of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining propagation medium. The cutting should then be placed in a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light until roots develop, which usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, the medium should be kept moist but not waterlogged to prevent rot.