Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Dorothy Hanley' (d)

Water

Fuchsia 'Dorothy Hanley', widely known as Hardy Fuchsia, should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. They typically require watering once or twice a week, but this should be adjusted depending on weather conditions and soil drainage; more frequent watering may be needed during hot, dry spells. A good rule of thumb is to provide the Hardy Fuchsia with about one inch of water each week. When watering, it's best to water deeply to encourage deep root growth, which can be equated to about a half-gallon per plant for mature shrubs, adjusted according to the plant size and the environmental conditions.

Light

Hardy Fuchsia thrives in dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. It's best to avoid placing the plant in direct, hot sunlight, particularly during the peak hours of the day, which can scorch the leaves and flowers. A spot that offers bright, indirect light or filtered sunlight would be ideal for this plant to flourish.

Temperature

Hardy Fuchsia prefers cooler temperatures and can often tolerate a range down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but the roots should be protected from freezing. The ideal growing temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and cooler at night. High temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, especially combined with dry conditions, can stress the plant and affect its growth and flowering.

Pruning

The Hardy Fuchsia benefits from pruning to maintain a desirable shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more abundant flowering. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Pruning should be moderate, removing dead or weak stems and cutting back to just above a set of healthy buds. It’s usually sufficient to prune once a year, but light trimming can be done during the growing season to shape the plant as desired.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Fuchsia 'Dorothy Hanley', commonly known as Hardy Fuchsia, thrives in a soil mix that is well-draining, fertile, and humus-rich. A mix of two parts peat moss to one part loam and one part perlite or sand can work well. The ideal soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 to ensure the best growth and flowering.

Repotting

Hardy Fuchsia typically requires repotting every two to three years or when it becomes root-bound. Repotting should be done in spring or early summer before the plant enters its active growth phase.

Humidity & Misting

Hardy Fuchsia prefers high humidity conditions, ideally between 60-70%. Maintaining a humid environment is important, especially when grown indoors, to mimic the conditions of their natural habitat.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light with high humidity and cool temps.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, shelter from strong winds, moistened soil.

• Hardiness zone

  6-9 USDA

Life cycle

Fuchsia 'Dorothy Hanley', commonly known as Hardy Fuchsia, begins its life cycle as a seed, germinating in warm, moist soil conditions and emerging as a seedling with its first set of true leaves. As it grows, it enters the vegetative stage, developing a robust root system, foliage, and woody stems. In the right conditions, which often involve partial shade and well-drained soil, it transitions to the flowering stage, producing distinctive, pendulous flowers typically in shades of purple and pink. After pollination, which is often carried out by hummingbirds or other pollinators, the flowers give way to small, dark-colored fruits. In regions with mild winters, Hardy Fuchsia can behave as a perennial, dying back to the ground during cooler seasons and resprouting from the roots in spring. In harsher climates, it may be treated as an annual or require protection to survive the winter months.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Fuchsia 'Dorothy Hanley,' commonly referred to as a fuchsia plant, can be propagated most successfully through softwood cuttings. To carry out this popular method, you should take cuttings in late spring or early summer when the plant has plenty of new growth. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors, snip a young, non-woody stem about 4 to 6 inches (about 10 to 15 centimeters) long just above a set of leaves. Remove the bottom third of leaves and dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Then, plant the cutting in a moist potting mix, cover it with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain high humidity. Place the cuttings in indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically form within 3 to 4 weeks, after which the new fuchsia plant can be transplanted into its own pot.