Like the geraniums, the fuchsias, originally from South America, are also part of the typical balcony planting. The shrubs, which grow upright or hanging, mostly up to a maximum height of 50 to 60 centimetres, attract attention with their distinctive, often two-colored flowers. In addition, fuchsias are among the permanent bloomers, which, with good care, show their flowers all summer long into autumn.
Fuchsias feel at home on the balcony
location and substrate
Fuchsias are ideal for balconies that face west or east, meaning morning or evening sun, but not all day sun. The plants come from the mountain rainforests of the Andes, where they thrive in the light shade of tall trees - accordingly, fuchsias do not tolerate the sun and should be placed in a light, but shady position. Conventional potting soil is suitable as a plant substrate, which you can loosen up with clay granules (e.g. Seramis) and coarse sand. Fuchsias prefer a slightly moist, but permeable and moderately nutrient-rich plant substrate.
Proper care for fuchsias on the balcony
As typical rainforest plants, fuchsias like moisture, but do not tolerate waterlogging. You should therefore ensure good drainage in the pot so that excess water drains away quickly and does not damage the roots. At the same time, however, fuchsias must not dry out, which is why the substrate should always be slightly damp. In addition, the heavily consuming fuchsias must be fertilized once or twice a week in a weak dosage. A liquid flowering plant fertilizer (€10.47), which is administered together with the irrigation water, is suitable for this.
Fuchsias are not hardy
Unfortunately fuchsias are very sensitive to frost and therefore not hardy. For this reason, many balcony gardeners only cultivate their fuchsias over the summer and then throw them away in the fall. However, fuchsias can live for several decades and will develop an interesting gnarled trunk and woody branches with age if they are allowed to. So it can be worth overwintering these interesting plants.
Overwinter fuchsias properly
Fuchsias should be cut back before the first frost and placed in a frost-free but cool winter quarters. This does not necessarily have to be bright, because the plants shed their leaves in autumn and can therefore overwinter in a dark basement, in the stairwell or in the attic. Place fuchsias in the winter quarters as late as possible and back outdoors as early as possible. In winter, fuchsias are not fertilized and only watered sparingly.
tips
In the winter quarters, temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius are ideal.