	Fuchsias by the Night Prowler

Fuchsias occur in a wide range of colors, shapes and
sizes. There are hundreds of named varieties of
F. hybrida. with the familiar bell-shaped flowers
hanging from the stems. These blooms may be single,
semi-double or double, with color combinations of
white. pink, red or purple. A collection of these hybrids
can provide blooms from spring to autumn. and some
experts regard the Fuchsia as the most satisfactory of
all flowering house plants.
Unfortunately nearly all of the plants bought for home
decorations or as gifts are consigned to the dustbin once
flowering stops and the leaves begin to fall. It is,
however, quite easy to overwinter the plant in a cool
room. The leaves will fall but growth begins again in the
spring and with proper care the plant can be kept for
many years. Flowers are borne on new growth, so cut
back the stems in early spring just before growth
begins.
Fuchsias are good house plants ONLY if the room is COOL
(50-70 degrees), MOIST (30% or more humidity), and with
Fresh air circulating freely. Moving the plant from a
nursery to inside your home which is hot, dry, and stale
air, your fuchsia will lose leaves and flowers.
Hybrids are best kept dryish in the fall and winter.
Regular training and pruning are necessary to keep the
plant free-flowering and shapely. With young plants
pinch out the stem tips to promote bushy growth, and
with flowering plants remove dead blooms to induce
bud formation.

Temperature: Cool or average warmth - plant may suffer if
   temperature exceeds 70'F. Keep at 50'-60'F in winter.
Light: Bright light away from direct sunshine.
Water: Keep compost moist at all times from spring to autumn.
   Water sparingly in winter.
Air Humidity: Mist leaves occasionally during the growing
   season.
Repotting: Repot in spring every year. Prune to shape and
	remove dead branches.
Soil:
	Use African Violet SOil mixture.
Plopagation: Take stem cuttings in spring or summer. Use a
   rooting hormone.

Problems:

Loss of leaves:
	Hot dry atmosphere, is usaully the cause. Mist leaves
	occasionally and stand the plant outside in hot weather.
Loss of Lower Leaves:
	Underwatering and lack of light.
Flower buds Drop:
	Poor Watering(too much or too little) or possible
	not enough light, too much heat.
Poor Flowering:
	Could be many things. Keeping plant moist and warm in the
	winter will cause this. Also too little food or water during
	the growing seasons.
Brown spots with yellow margins on the leaves:
	Leaf spot disease, caused by over watering in cold weather.
Insects:
	Red spider Mites and Whiteflys are COMMON and SERIOUS problems.
	Deal with these as soon as you find them.



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