Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke' (d)

Water

Fuchsias, including the 'Valerie Tooke' variety, prefer consistent moisture without being waterlogged. Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which could be about once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Use lukewarm water to avoid shocking the plant's roots, providing about 16-32 ounces for potted specimens or 1-2 gallons for larger plants in the ground every week during active growth in the spring and summer months. Reduce watering in the fall and further in the winter when the plant is not growing actively.

Light

The Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke' performs best in partial shade to bright indirect light. It's ideal to place the plant in a spot where it receives morning sunlight but is shielded from the intense afternoon sun. A north-facing or east-facing location is usually best to ensure it gets the light it needs without being exposed to harsh conditions that could stress the plant.

Temperature

The Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke' prefers a temperature range of 55-76 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. During hot summers, ensure that the plant does not remain in temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, as this can cause stress and damage.

Pruning

Prune the Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke' to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth with more flowers. Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged branches and cut back the stems to one or two buds on each shoot to promote vigorous new growth. Pinch out the tips of stems during the growing season to encourage branching.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for the fuchsia, commonly known as 'Lady's Eardrops', should be rich, moist, and well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6 to 7. A mix of loam, peat, and sand or perlite in equal parts could provide the right balance for healthy growth.

Repotting

Lady's Eardrops should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot. It's best to repot in the spring just before the growing season begins.

Humidity & Misting

Lady's Eardrops thrives in high humidity conditions, ideally between 60% to 70%. It may benefit from misting if grown in a drier environment.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.

• Outdoor

  Place in dappled shade, protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke', also known as Lady's Eardrops, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates, typically in moist and well-drained soil with partial shade. The seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with characteristic opposite leaves and a bushy habit. As the plant matures, it produces distinctive drooping flowers that are a combination of pink, purple, and white, attracting pollinators throughout the growing season. After pollination, the flowers develop into small, dark berries which can then be dispersed to generate new plants. Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke' is perennial in nature, dying back in winter in colder climates and resuming growth from the root system in spring. To maintain vigor, the plant can be propagated through cuttings and will require pruning to encourage bushiness and more abundant flowering.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Fuchsia 'Valerie Tooke', commonly known as fuchsia, is typically propagated through softwood cuttings during late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method involves carefully snipping a 2 to 4-inch (5 to 10 cm) length of stem just below a leaf node, including several sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The cutting is then inserted into a mix of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining rooting medium and kept moist but not waterlogged. To maintain a high humidity level, which is crucial for rooting success, it's often advisable to cover the cutting with a plastic bag or use a propagator. Cuttings typically root within 3 to 4 weeks, at which point they can be slowly acclimatized to the outside environment before transplanting.