Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' (d)

Water

Lady's ear drops should be watered enough to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. During the growing season, water the plant generously when the top inch of soil feels dry, which generally means watering once or twice a week, depending on the climate and indoor conditions. Always use lukewarm water and water directly onto the soil to avoid splashing the leaves. Each watering session should provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the soil; for a regular-sized pot, this means typically between 8 to 16 ounces of water.

Light

Lady's ear drops thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. The best spot for this plant is near a window that receives morning sunlight but is shielded from the intense afternoon rays, which can cause leaf scorch. A north-facing or east-facing window usually provides the ideal lighting conditions.

Temperature

Lady's ear drops prefer a cool to moderate temperature range, ideally between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but the cooler end of their tolerance range promotes better blooms.

Pruning

Lady's ear drops should be pruned to maintain a bushy shape, encourage more blooms, and remove any dead or wilted flowers. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light pruning can also be done throughout the growing season to shape the plant and promote branching.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' prefers a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter. An ideal mix could be one part peat moss, one part perlite, and one part loam with a pH between 6 and 7 for optimal growth.

Repotting

Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' should be repotted every two to three years or when it becomes pot-bound. Spring is the best time for repotting to give the plant time to establish in the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' thrives best in moderate to high humidity levels, preferably between 60% and 70%. Avoid placing the plant in extremely dry conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Bright, indirect light with high humidity suits Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' indoors.

• Outdoor

  Place in dappled light and shelter from strong winds for Fuchsia 'Eden Rock'.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of the Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' typically begins with germination, which occurs when the seed encounters the right conditions of moisture, temperature, and light. From germination, the plant enters the seedling stage, during which it develops its initial roots and leaves and begins to photosynthesize. As it matures into the vegetative stage, it grows stems, leaves, and a stronger root system, preparing it for flowering. The flowering stage is marked by the development of the distinctive pendulous, tubular flowers that come in a variety of colors, which are usually pollinated by hummingbirds or insects. After pollination, Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' produces small fruits that contain seeds, completing the cycle through seed dispersal. In some climates, this plant is treated as an annual, while in milder climates it can be a perennial, potentially entering a period of dormancy during colder months before resuming growth in the spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-early summer

• The most popular method for propagating the Fuchsia 'Eden Rock' is through softwood cuttings. This technique is typically conducted during late spring to early summer when the plant's new growth is tender and flexible. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free plants, ideally 3 to 5 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage root development. The cuttings are then placed in a well-draining soil mix, usually a combination of peat and perlite, and kept in a warm, humid environment out of direct sunlight. It usually takes several weeks for the cuttings to root, after which they can be potted up individually and eventually moved into the garden.