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Fuchsia dying?

nigeltaylor11ajAuETly_nigeltaylor11ajAuETly_ Posts: 16
in Problem solving
I planted this fuchsia Hawkshead in early spring and it was growing and flowering well. I have fed and watered it regularly but now it appears to be dying. The soil around the plant is moist so I have not watered since I noticed the problem in case this was due to overwatering.


Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It could be either under or overwatering from the appearance, or possibly a reaction to too much heat and sun. Fuchsias generally thrive best in cool moist climates (with mild winters) so this summer hasn't been good for them. Practically, I think all you can do now is wait and see, keeping it moist but not soaking. I would leave the dead stuff on over the winter (it provides some frost protection) and if it does start to grow back, prune it in the normal way in the spring.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • nigeltaylor11ajAuETly_nigeltaylor11ajAuETly_ Posts: 16
    Thanks. Will take your advice.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Where do you have it situated? Mine are semi shaded, kept out of the mid day sun.
  • nigeltaylor11ajAuETly_nigeltaylor11ajAuETly_ Posts: 16
    It is facing south but in part of the afternoon is shaded by a tree. It seemed to be doing well throughout the really hot spells that we have had. Now in the cooler temperatures we are having it started to wilt. I am sure if it is a watering problem it is not because of underwatering.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    You can’t overwater a fuchsia,  it’s always raining where I live,  when did you feed it,  I’ve never fed one,  they grow like a hedge and don’t need feeding.
    Feeding in this hot dry weather is not really the right thing to do,  it’s encouraged new soft growth which in turn has burnt in the sun.
    Best thing is to just make sure it’s watered and leave it till next Spring,  if you see new shoots appear on the stems or from the ground it’s still alive,   then cut all the dead growth off. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited August 2022
    I have two large fuchsia plants that I believe are "Hawkshead".  Both over 6 foot tall and surviving the last two winters.  They are planted in full sun in dry sandy soil.  I have not watered either as I saved my watering for less easily/cheaply replaceable shrubs. They have completely shrugged of the hot and dry weather when hydeangeas and rhododendrons did not.

    Sorry, but I don't mean to be unsympathetic.

    If there is any part alive, take cuttings - they root readily even in just water.  Otherwise scrounge or buy another plant.

    Looking at the pebbles, are these just ground cover or is the "soil" like this.  Commercial plants are often grown in peat-free compst thta doesn't readily rewet.  If your plants has dried out before it was established, this may be the cause.  They will now be very dead.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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