Fuschia Standard

I'm looking for information on how to start and grow a fuschia standard. I saw one at a flower shop on a recent trip to France, and upon investigation, I found out here on Dave's Garden that fuschia trees actually grow in the western US, and that fuschia standards are common there. I had never seen one before my trip. I think that it would be very interesting to try to start and grow one(or two!). I live in Pennsylvania. Thanks, Debbie K.

I don't know if this is the case with fuchsias or not, but sometimes standards like that can't be trained that way on their own, but they're grafted onto something else to give that look. Hopefully someone else will know for sure!

OK. I'll keep that in mind as I give it a try. I bought a fuschia for less than 10.00 at Sam's Club here and it has several plants in it so I think I'll just see if I can train it anyway. I read that you can easily root fuschia stens/branches and then keep the buds off and support it with a stick. It should be amusing if nothing else. Thanks for your info.

I am experimenting with a fuschia shrub this way.The stalk is woody and strong.So far it's still growing fine.I've got it indoors now.( cold climate here).I have leaders growing out from the bottom of stem.

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/garden_diary/garden_mini_project_march_fuchsia7.asp#fuchsia_standard

I hope it helps. It's not difficult in the least. You just keep one straight cutting and get rid of the branches that start growing on the sides.

I'm fertilizing it..not sure if I should be this late in September?

Thankyou Spider07.I checked out that informative site.

you are welcome!

Does anyone know of a nursery in or near Houston/Katy that sells fuchsias - either trailing or upright? I bought a cutting on the marketplace and promptly killed it. I think I need a real live plant to grow and hopefully not kill. Thanks so much for your help.

Ann

Hopefully someone from your area will be able to give you some leads, but they may be a bit tougher to find in your area since your climate is not really well suited for them--they prefer cooler summers. I've found that even if they're in the shade they do not do well in hot weather. Although not being appropriate for a particular climate never seems to stop places like Home Depot, Walmart, etc from selling plants anyway, so you might try one of those.

ecrane, what you say is what I was afraid of but then growing things out of my zone has never stopped me before and certainly hasn't stopped the box stores. Thanks!

Ann

You might have better luck finding them in the spring too, if the stores do stock them I think that would be the most likely time. And if you get it early in the spring then you should be able to get a few months of enjoyment before the summer heat melts it.

plantlady, I picked up a fuchsia last year abt this time in Longview TX at walmarts
Would'nt hurt to check them out by phone.
Vickie