'Training' a standard Fucshia

Penny_Forthem · February 2023

It's a while since I trained one and am gutted that I lost my one remaining plant this winter, even though it was in the greenhouse and well protected (or so I thought).
I've ordered some plug plants to train, as I do love them standing 'proud' in pots.

Any advice for starting again, please? As I said, it's been a while...

JennyJ · February 2023

Are you sure it's dead? It's still only February which is early for non-hardy fuchsias to be starting into growth. Even if the head has died it might shoot from the roots, in which case you'd be able to have it as a bush and maybe take some cuttings to train as standards. It's a long time since I've trained any but if I remember rightly, it's the opposite of bushes - let the main stem grow straight up (stake if necessary), pinch out the side shoots but leave the leaves to feed the plant, stop the main shoot when it gets to the height that you want the head to start then pinch it out and keep pinching the side shoots that form, as they get to a couple of leaf joints. Once you've got a nice head (effectively a bush on a stick) you can take any remaining leaves off the main trunk.

Penny_Forthem · February 2023

I see from past diary entries that it is around now that it's shown signs of regrowth (and overwintered chillies). I won't give up on it yet though. Thanks @JennyJ

Lyn · February 2023

My advice would be to get cuttings from someone, if you buy a plug it will probably have already had the top pinched out. That’s what you don’t need. You only want one main stem.
If you can get a cutting, look for one with three leaves in the cluster rather than two
I lost one a couple of years ago in a cold winter.

'Training' a standard Fucshia

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