Fuchsia, Blueberry and new rose
Willowkitten
Posts: 111
Hi,
I just went to check on the Fuchsia and the Blueberry bush I planted into the ground last autumn. The Fuchsia was in a planter until then, the Blueberry bush was new.
I planted both of them into the ground and just checked on them. Both have brown twigs which are still flexible. The Fuchsia has a few dead flowers on the tips. Are they still alive? I didn't cut them after planting them out. But the twigs still being flexible I reckon they're still alive or have I killed them? 
Also, I bough a rose today from LIDL for £.3.99. All it says it's a large flowered rose and the colour on the photo is white but with a hint of a soft pink. It is supposed to reach a height from 70 cm to 120 cm. The description is probably meant for gardening idiots like myself and hence little help to me 
as it's only in pictures and according to these I am supposed to do this:
Soak roots in water (it doesn't say how long for and if cold water or room temp water). Then to dig a hole of 2 cm (probably a printing error, but that's what is says), pop rose into the hole, water again, put soil in and then cut the stems back. Can I also plant the rose into a large planter until I decided where I want it find it's permanent residence?
Thanks already for any advice.
Posts
The blueberry should be fine.
The fuchsia may be ok if it was a hardy variety. (Though even 'hardy' ones can succumb if the winter is very severe.) If it has a name on the label, look it up to find out. If not, or to check, use your thumbnail to very gently scratch a tiny bit on one of the thicker twigs. If the bark scrapes away to show green then it is still alive. Garden fuchsias will generally send up shoots from the base of the plant, so it could be worth waiting for a while longer even if the top growth seems dead.
The rose roots need soaking for an hour or two, that's all, and the hole needs to be large enough to accommodate them comfortably. If you look at the rose stem, you should see a lumpy bit where it joins the root part. This is the graft union - roses are usually grafted onto wild rose roots as this makes them more vigorous. Make the hole deep enough so this bumpy bit is just below soil level. If you can, add some mycorrhizal fungi (rootgrow) as this will help the rose establish faster. Fill the hole and firm it in well by pressing gently with your foot. Water to wash the soil round the roots. Cut the stems back to a healthy outward facing bud, but don't do this if hard frosts are still likely where you live, wait a week or two before pruning or you might be left with no good buds. Leave enough stem that you can cut back again if need be. Yes to the planter.
I remember the name on the labell all too well,Buttercupdays *rofl It read: "Fucksya"
, I only knew it was a 'Fuchsia' because I know what a 'Fuchsia' looks like, but I couldn't stop giggling for days 
I live in the North East, near Gateshead. Last winter wasn't harsh at all. I think if we had two days of snow that was a lot.
Wow...thanks for all the advice,Buttercupdays
with the help of this forum I might eventually get rid of my reputation as 'The Worlds most notorious plant serial killer" and this what my son thinks about my gardening endeavours lol
I hope you planted the blueberry in ericaceous compost
I mixed compost from a bag with the already existing soil and kept as much of the soil the blueberry came in, Perki. That I felt was the best I could do for it.
WillowKitten, I'd soak the rose overnight before planting. Roses sold in shops bare root have been out of the ground for some time, considerable time in some cases. Soaking overnight increases the chances of survival as the roses capillary system needs to be kicked into action asap. Also soak the whole bush, weight it down if necessary in a bucket in the kitchen it needs to re hydrate before planting.
For best results add not only the fungi but as much well rotted manure and some bone meal to the planting hole and water in with at least a watering can full of water. Then mulch it heavily 2-3 inches deep around the plant. Water it weekly for a month, don't rely on the weather to do it for you.
If you get the above right first time it cuts down on the attention you give it later in the year and it establishes more quickly.
This applies equally when growing in tubs or pots.
Good to know I can reach you via Metro, Bilje. I have decided that I need to cut the fuchsia back as I can see things trying to grow in between the twigs. These are spring things and not weeds. I never managed shrubs I planted myself, the closest I came to owning a fuchsia was in my own house and that one had not never been attended to from the word 'plant'. but I managed to make it prosper. However,that was a large plant, not a fragile twiggy little thingy lol.
Thanks for your advice also, Dave Morgan, I think I'll go for planting the rose into a planter for now before I decide for it's final place. Providing the photo doesn't lie
In which case I can make it gift to a neigbhour.
I can walk to Heworth and I can take 56 to Washington