Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Obergärtner Koch' (T)

Water

Fuchsias, including the 'Obergärtner Koch', need consistent moisture and should be watered whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. During the growing season, this might equate to watering about once or twice a week, depending on climate conditions. It's best to water deeply until excess moisture drains out of the pot, which could be around 16-32 ounces for a standard potted plant. Make sure not to waterlog the soil as fuchsias dislike sitting in water. In winter, reduce watering frequency to match the plant's reduced growth.

Light

Fuchsias like 'Obergärtner Koch' thrive in bright, indirect light with some dappled shade. Direct sunlight, particularly during the hot midday hours, can burn their leaves, so a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. They also do well under high canopy trees where light is filtered.

Temperature

Fuchsias like 'Obergärtner Koch' prefer a cool climate and do best in temperatures ranging from 60°F to 70°F during the day and 50°F to 60°F at night. They can survive in temperatures as low as 40°F, but frost can be deadly. Summer heat above 76°F can stress the plant, so it is important to keep fuchsias in a cool environment during hot weather.

Pruning

Prune your 'Obergärtner Koch' fuchsia to maintain its shape, remove dead or weak growth, and encourage bushier growth with more flowers. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season; however, a more significant pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Fuchsia, commonly known as Lady's Ear Drops, thrives in a soil mix that is rich, moist, and well-draining with a pH between 6 and 7. A blend of peat or coir, perlite, and compost works well, ensuring adequate nutrition and moisture retention while preventing waterlogging.

Repotting

Lady's Ear Drops should be repotted once every 1-2 years, or when roots become pot-bound. Spring is the best time for repotting to give the plant time to establish before the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Lady's Ear Drops prefer a humidity level of around 60-70%. Maintaining moderate humidity will support their growth and flower production, and misting can help in drier conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Bright, indirect light; keep soil moist; moderate humidity.

• Outdoor

  Partial shade, shelter from wind, keep soil moist, feed regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

The Fuchsia 'Obergärtner Koch' begins its life cycle with seed germination, where warm temperatures and consistent moisture trigger the start of root and shoot development. Following germination, seedlings grow into juvenile plants, which develop a robust root system and foliage. These plants mature into a vegetative state where they produce distinctive, pendulous flowers with a combination of pink, purple, and red hues during their flowering season, typically in the spring and summer. After pollination, often by hummingbirds or insects, these flowers develop into small fruit containing seeds, thus completing the reproductive cycle. As perennials, these fuchsias enter a dormant phase in colder climates during fall and winter, where they lose leaves and cease active growth, only to regrow from their rootstock with the return of warmer, spring weather. Proper cultivation includes pruning after flowering and protecting from frost to ensure vigorous growth in the next cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Fuchsia 'Obergärtner Koch', commonly known as hardy fuchsia, is most commonly propagated through stem cuttings. The best time for taking cuttings is during late spring or early summer when the growth is young and vigorous. To propagate, select a healthy, non-flowering shoot and cut a 3 to 4-inch piece just below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving two to four leaves at the top. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a moist, well-draining potting mix. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain humidity. Place the pot in a warm location with bright, indirect light but avoid direct sunlight. Roots typically form within 3 to 4 weeks, after which the new hardy fuchsia plants can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions.