Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Katrina Thompsen'

Water

Fuchsias, including 'Katrina Thompsen', prefer consistently moist soil, so it's important to water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this will mean watering about once or twice a week, but this frequency can vary depending on temperature and humidity levels. During hot weather, they may require more frequent watering. It's best to water deeply, providing enough water so that it runs through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot—typically, this would be about 1 to 2 gallons for a medium-sized hanging basket every week during the growing season. In cooler weather or when the plant is not actively growing, reduce watering to prevent soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.

Light

Fuchsias like 'Katrina Thompsen' thrive in bright, indirect light with protection from harsh afternoon sun. The ideal location would be a spot that receives morning sunlight and dappled shade in the afternoon. They can also perform well in an eastern-facing location where they get gentle morning sun which is less intense. Avoid placing them in deep shade as this can lead to poor flowering and leggy growth.

Temperature

Fuchsias, including 'Katrina Thompsen', perform best in cool to moderate temperatures with daytime highs around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows not dipping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They can handle a brief period of temperatures slightly outside this range, but prolonged exposure to temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can be harmful to the plant. It's best to ensure they are in conditions that are as close as possible to these ideal temperature ranges for optimal growth.

Pruning

Pruning Fuchsias like 'Katrina Thompsen' encourages a bushy growth habit and more prolific blooming. Prune in the early spring before new growth begins by cutting back about a third of the plant to maintain shape and remove any dead or weak branches. Deadheading or removing spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season will also promote continuous blooming. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before the plant breaks dormancy.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Fuchsia 'Katrina Thompsen,' commonly known as Hardy Fuchsia, thrives in a soil mix that is rich, moist, and well-draining, with a pH between 6 and 7. A mixture of loam, peat moss, and sand in equal parts is ideal to provide the necessary drainage and nutrient retention. Incorporating a slow-release fertilizer can also benefit the plant's growth and flowering.

Repotting

Hardy Fuchsia should generally be repotted every two to three years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It's best done in the spring before the growing season begins. If the plant shows signs of being pot-bound, with roots circling the bottom of the pot, it may need repotting more frequently.

Humidity & Misting

Hardy Fuchsias prefer moderate to high humidity levels for optimal growth. The best range for these plants is between 60% and 70% relative humidity. Maintaining these conditions will help ensure healthy foliage and promote vibrant blooms.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Hardy Fuchsia in bright, indirect light; keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant in dappled shade, shelter from strong winds, keep soil moist.

• Hardiness zone

  6-9 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of the Fuchsia 'Katrina Thompsen', commonly known as Hardyal Fuchsia, begins with seed germination, where warmth and moisture trigger the development of the primary root and shoot. After germination, the seedling stage is characterized by the emergence of cotyledons and the development of true leaves, allowing photosynthesis to begin. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it experiences rapid growth of stems and leaves, and with appropriate light and nutrition, it matures to set buds. The flowering stage sees the blossoming of the distinctive teardrop-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, attracting pollinators for sexual reproduction. Following pollination, the plant produces fleshy fruit containing seeds, which when mature, are dispersed, completing the cycle. In cultivation, Fuchsia 'Katrina Thompsen' can also be propagated vegetatively through cuttings, which root and grow to establish new plants more quickly than seeds.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for the Fuchsia 'Katrina Thompsen' is through softwood cuttings, which is typically done in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To do this, a cutting from a healthy, non-flowering shoot of about 2 to 4 inches long (5 to 10 cm) is taken with a sharp, clean knife or scissors. The lower leaves are removed, and the base of the cutting is dipped in a rooting hormone to stimulate root growth. Then, the cutting is inserted into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or a similar free-draining propagation medium. The pot is covered with a plastic bag or placed in a propagator to maintain high humidity, and kept in bright, indirect light until roots have developed, which typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks. After rooting, the cutting can be potted up into a larger container and gradually acclimated to less humid conditions.