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Fuschia flower problem.

stevescrutchleyD60RpKbFstevescrutchleyD60RpKbF Posts: 2
in Problem solving
The flowers on all my Fuschia plants, both in pots and in the ground, have recently started to become discoloured. The buds open but the flowers drop prematurely. The foliage seems fine, with no sign of bugs or disease. Does anyone know what causes this? 

Posts

  • elaine.carter40t_D8moLPelaine.carter40t_D8moLP Posts: 3
    Did you get any help with this?  I have the same problem.
  • Joy*Joy* Posts: 571
    I have a similar problem and put it down to the weather and the watering.
  • elaine.carter40t_D8moLPelaine.carter40t_D8moLP Posts: 3
    Hi Joy.  Do you think we are not watering them enough? What's your opinion.

  • stevescrutchleyD60RpKbFstevescrutchleyD60RpKbF Posts: 2
    The local garden centre said it could be too much or too little water. However, I've noted that most of the damage is on plants subject to prolonged direct sun. The damage seems to be worse on that side of the plants. I've moved two plants in pots to a spot that gets very little direct sun. I'll keep you posted on the results. 
  • Joy*Joy* Posts: 571
    Hi Elaine. I think that the flowers with drown patches might have been scorched by the sun. I've also thought that if they were wet and then they got too much sun, that affected them. All mine are in baskets and I have wondered if my watering has been too erratic this summer. I  aim to water every day but there have been times when they have been starting to wilt due to the tropical nights we have had. Anything planted in the ground tends to be less affected by watering as in open ground they get more rain. It is very strange. Have you given yours any feed? Mine have had Miracle Gro.
  • elaine.carter40t_D8moLPelaine.carter40t_D8moLP Posts: 3
    Hi Thanks for your replys Joy / Steve.  Mine are in the garden direct in soil.  I do water them when we don't have any rain, but they are usually quite hardy.  As all the dry leaf is on one side (the sun side) I think the suggestion that the sun is damaging them may fit.  Will be interested to see what happens to the ones you have moved Steve.  Thanks for your help in this matter.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Drops of water can act as burning glasses, focussing the light of the sun onto a small area so the light and heat are more intense.  It can't be helped if the sun shines after rain (as it's doing a lot lately, at least where I live.)  But you can take care when watering, to water the soil not the foliage.  If it's not easy to do that with a can or hose, could you water by plunging the pots a couple of times a week?

    You appear to have a fine collection there, @stevescrutchleyD60RpKbF.  Fuchsias were my father's favourite flowers and they're one of mine.  They look so exotic, it always seems wrong to me that they have no scent.  If a breeder could produce a fragrant fuchsia I think it would sell like hot cakes.  One of the reasons I like them is because I hate deadheading, and fuchsias do it themselves!  As soon as the flowers start to fade, they drop off, so the plant always looks classy, with no scuzzy dead flowers to spoil it.
  • Joy*Joy* Posts: 571
    Hi josusa. Do you make sure that the seed pod has come off as well as the flower? If a plant sets seed, that is the trigger which stops further flowering as it has done its job. 
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Joy* said:
    Hi josusa. Do you make sure that the seed pod has come off as well as the flower? If a plant sets seed, that is the trigger which stops further flowering as it has done its job. 
    I don't police them; none of mine produce much fruit.  Did you know they're edible?  Apparently the flavour varies a great deal depending on the variety.  I've sampled some of mine, but they don't taste of much.  Bob Flowerdew gives a recipe for fuchsia fruit in one of his books.
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