How to cultivate fuchsia bonsai

Soil requirements

The culture soil for potted plants should be a mixture of 5 parts of leaf mold, 4 parts of sandy loam, and 1 part of decomposed cake fertilizer powder. It is generally advisable to repot and change the soil once every spring.

Fertilization method

During the growth period, apply a thin liquid fertilizer combining nitrogen and phosphorus once every 10 days or so. If there is insufficient nutrition, it will be difficult for the plant to bloom again after it blooms once.

Watering requirements

When watering, you should follow the principle of watering when the soil is dry and watering when it is wet. In the dry spring and hot summer seasons, you can spray water on the branches and leaves 1-2 times a day. Do not water too much to cause waterlogging in the soil. In winter, when the room temperature is low, you must strictly control watering and stop fertilizing to prevent root rot. Loosen the soil in time after each fertilization and watering to facilitate ventilation.

Temperature and light requirements

Fuchsia prefers a cool climate and is most afraid of high temperatures, sun and rain in summer. When the temperature exceeds 30℃ in summer, the plant's metabolic activity slows down and its growth is stagnant. At this time, phenomena such as leaf fall and root rot are often prone to occur. If effective measures are not taken in time, the entire plant will die.

Pest and disease control

When cultivated indoors, if ventilation is poor, the young stems and leaves are easily harmed by aphids and whiteflies. When it occurs, you can use 200 times diluted omethoate to spray for prevention and control.

Reproduction method

Fuchsia is often propagated by cuttings and sowing.

(1) Cutting method: It can be carried out throughout the year except the summer dormancy period. Spring cutting is preferred as it has a high and fast rooting survival rate. Choose strong tender branches at the top for cuttings, 7-8 cm long, with 2-3 nodes, cut off the leaves at the base, and insert them into the sand bed. Spray frequently to keep moist. They will take root in about 10 days and can be potted after 1 month.

(2) Seeding method: It can be carried out in spring or autumn. In autumn, at a temperature of 15-20℃, it will germinate in 15 days. Seedlings sown in spring will not bloom until the second year.

Summer methods

First, to reduce temperature and increase humidity, home potted plants can be moved to a ventilated, rain-proof, shady place, such as on a north balcony or under the eaves where there is a little scattered light, or in a cool and ventilated place indoors with a little sunlight. At the same time, when the temperature exceeds 25°C, spray water on the leaves 1-2 times a day, spray water 3-4 times when the temperature exceeds 30°C, and sprinkle water on the ground around the pots 2-3 times to lower the temperature and increase the air humidity.

Second, control the use of fertilizer and water. Stop fertilizing during the hot season of July and August, control watering, and keep the soil in the pot slightly dry.

Third, prevent rain, as rain can easily cause root rot and leaf fall.

Fourth, new seedlings need to be cultivated. The perennial old plants of fuchsia are sensitive to high temperatures, while the seedlings are more resistant to heat and will not shed leaves in the hot summer. Therefore, cultivating new seedlings by cuttings every year will help them survive the summer safely, which is a more proactive measure.

Plastic pruning

Since the flower buds of fuchsia are grown in the axils of new shoots, if you want it to bloom more, you need to make it branch more. Pinching the tops of the flowers at the right time is an effective measure to make it branch more. Generally speaking, when the seedlings grow to about 10 cm in height, they are topped for the first time to promote branching. After about one month, when the new branches grow 6-8 leaves, they are topped for the second time and the excess buds are removed, leaving only 5-7 branches for each plant. After the autumn cools down, you can cut short the branches that are too long and thin out the overly dense branches to promote the growth of strong new branches. Watering should be reduced after each pruning. After new buds grow, the amount of watering should be gradually increased and normal management should be resumed.

Generally, about 25 days after the fuchsia is pinched, the new shoots will bloom again. People can use this habit to adjust the flowering period and let it bloom continuously.