What is the best way to overwinter fuchsias in pots?

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1051003

2026-08-07 06:20

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It's November and mine are still full flowered. However, after the first frost, restrict the water for a week and trim the plant back, retaining shape (bush, column, standard). Except Thalia which should be left to dry longer and then be cut back a little harder. Put some dry straw in a bin bag. Place the pot in a bin bag and place in the bag with straw in. Pack straw around the pot bag. Lightly water the plant close the inner bag leaving a little room for growth. Put straw over the closure and close the outer bag. Put the bag/pot in the shed. Open the bags and mist or lightly water the plant once a week. It is important not to leave the compost too wet, nor must it dry out; just damp is good. Leave bags open for a couple of hours after watering.
For standards/columns bag the pot as described. Loosely wrap the stem and crown or column in layers of insulating sheet (from a garden store on a roll). Put canes, taller than the plant, in the pot at the edge. Put a bin bag over the canes, like a big cloche.
If the pot is too big to move, cut the bottom out of two bags and put one inside the other. Place the resulting tubes over the pot and secure at the base. Cut plant back, Fill between the bags with straw, lightly water the plant as before and seal the bags. Treat standards/columns as above. Protect from the prevailing wind. Mist or lightly water weekly (don't let the pot dry out). Turn the pot occasionally. Leave the bag open for a short time, all the while protecting the plant from the wind and excessive cold. Nothing kills a fuchsia quicker than windburn. In the very early spring the plant should be trimmed again. A good trick is to try to bend a stalk, gently from the tip. Like asparagus, the twig will break where the dead bit ends and will indicate how far the plant trim can go without it 'bleeding' excessively.
In the spring open the bags through the day but close them before the temperature drops too far in the evening. De-bagging time is very much dependant on where you live, mid to late march (northern hemisphere) is probably a good time to start monitoring the weather and making the decision. But beware of late frosts, even into April. Windburn or excessive cold will turn leaves red.
In spring and early summer, spray away cuckoo spit with a weak soap solution or a spray of black cold tea. Encourage lady bugs into the garden.

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