Fuchsias and Begonias by Lorna Herchenson

Thank you, Lorna, for such a lovely introduction to fuchsias and begonias! We are grateful that your mom instilled a passion for fuchsias in you! Who knew that “Fuchsia Lore” collectors are spread right around the world! Your apron, shirt, necklace, mug… and pillowcase (!)… certainly attest to your own enthusiasm!

It was interesting to hear some of the history behind today’s popular plants. Charles Plumier, known as the “Father of the Fuchsia”, was a famous French botanist. He first discovered specimens of the fuchsia in the Caribbean in 1696. He named it after the 16th-century German botanist Leonhart Fuchs. Plumier discovered specimens of the begonia in the Dominican Republic in 1690. He named it after the French governor of Haiti, Michel Begon, who was his favorite botanist.

Fuchsias

There are now well over a hundred fuchsia species, but not all are suitable for the novice grower or for our PNW climate. Lorna brought in two unusual fuchsias to show us: a triphylla fuchsia with very long, thin flowers and an encliandra fuchsia with amazingly miniature flowers.

Fuchsias are divided into 12 “sections” by the experts, however, this is not the most useful format for home gardeners. Most gardeners only need to be aware of 4 general types: hanging fuchsias, bush fuchsias, shrub fuchsias, and standard (tree) fuchsias.

Fuchsias generally have tubular flowers, with showy stamens, and with the sepals and corolla usually being different colours. However, some flowers have long, thin sepals and many petalled corollas.

Fuchsias can be propagated by cuttings, preferably at the growing tips. Lorna suggests that pushing those cuttings down the side of the mother plant greatly increases your chance of success! It is important to pinch back your fuchsias in order to produce a bushier plant with more blooms. You can pinch after one, two, or three sets of leaves have developed. Each time you pinch, you delay the onset of blooming, so timing depends on when you hope to have blooms. Single-flowered fuchsias take about 6 weeks to flower after pinching and double-flowered fuchsias take about 8 weeks. Triphyllas may take 14 weeks, and pinching is best after three sets of leaves for these.

Fuchsias are not “plant it and forget it” plants! The growing medium needs to be “open” and have excellent drainage, which means frequent watering in warmer weather. Some gardeners like to use a soilless mixture. Lorna’s mantra for fertilizer is “Weakly Weekly”! Be sure that the soil is already moist or you may burn the roots. One suggestion is 1 tablespoon of 20-20-20 to a gallon of water. Foliar fertilizers are also good.

Overwintering fuchsias can be done in a frost-free area or alternatively, by digging a pit in the garden and covering the plants with protective materials. Lorna has had success with this latter method, apart from the year the bear climbed over the area and his weight snapped the plants! Lorna cautioned that “hardy fuchsias” are not hardy in a pot! Check the NW fuchsia society website for hardy varieties.

When your plants go to rest, cut the branches well back, strip the leaves, and clean any debris. Large plants are cut back by a third and hanging baskets can be pruned back within the circumference of the pot. In Spring, coax them back by spraying with hot water, giving light and warmth. When repotting, try not to damage the roots, and use a pot appropriate to the size of the root ball. Note that triphylla are the only ones that you can cut off the bottom of the root ball and sink down lower in the pot, adding soil on top.

Begonias

Lorna noted that when purchasing a begonia tuber, you should try to choose one with a sprout showing. Plant the tuber in a small pot and cover the entire tuber with potting soil. Roots will grow from all over the tuber.

Begonias like early or late sun, but not strong midday sun.

When the tuber has good root growth and leaves, it is ready to be potted in its final container or area. Note that the points of the leaves indicate the front of the plant.

The two most common types of tuberous begonias are “upright” and “pendular”. Upright begonias need to be staked with soft material such as Velcro or nylon strips. Multiple stems may face in different directions. Female blooms should be removed on upright begonias. Tuberous begonias usually have a large male flower in the center and two single female flowers on either side.

Pendular begonias are often grown with two or three to a hanging basket. Pinch the growing tips after 2 sets of leaves and then again after 2 more sets. Note that this is assuming your last pinching is early in the growing season. Unlike with upright begonias, female blooms are kept.

Light fertilizing can begin after there is a second set of leaves. 20-20-20 is fine, as is kelp or fish fertilizer. If the leaves start to roll under at the edges or have a bluish tinge, you are over-fertilizing. As with fuchsias, Lorna suggests “Weakly Weekly” fertilizing. Foliar feeding is also helpful.

There are also many other types of begonias, which do not have tubers. The most popular fibrous rooted begonia is the semperflorens, commonly known as wax begonias.

When preparing your tuberous begonias for overwintering, begin in late August by using a high middle number fertilizer such as 0-52-10 to help plump up the tubers. Reduce watering in September. The tubers can be left in their pots to dry and store. Alternatively, they can be dug up, allowed to dry, and then stored in a cool, dry place. Some people use open flats to store them. Leaves and stems should drop off (naturally, if possible) before storing. Dust with sulphur, rose dust, or powdered charcoal.

are then dug up and allowed to dry. Leaves and stems should drop off naturally, if possible, before storing in a substrate such as peat moss, perlite etc. in a cool dry place.

Questions and Comments

Mildew problems: If you see mildew, it may already be too late! Spraying the leaves with fish fertilizer or hydrogen peroxide is one suggestion. Lorna has not seen much success with baking soda solutions. Whichever you use, be sure to spray the soil as well as the branches and leaves.

Spring repotting: V-sections can be cut out of the fuchsia basket to add fresh soil.

Begonia tubers not sprouting: Try soaking in warm water to stimulate growth.

Fuchsias in sun or shade: Fuchsias actually appreciate lots of light. Hardy fuchsias can withstand direct sun. Fuchsias with darker leaves and flowers are able to withstand more sun.

Overwintering begonias: One of Lorna’s novel suggestions is to hang the tubers in pantyhose, in a cool dry place!

Growth hormones: It was interesting to hear that commercial growers may use growth hormones to make plants appear more floriferous at the time of sale. However, this vigour will not continue after you take the plants home! BTW, our local “Amsterdam Nursery” does not use hormones.

Lorna Herchenson Speaker Bio (by Shelagh J.)

Lorna Herchenson is a well-known presenter who has been, as she says, “fooling around” with fuchsias and begonias for over forty years. In fact, she has a fuchsia named after her! She has travelled around the world indulging her passion for these flowers. But it’s not just their beauty that has held her interest all these years. She says “It is the friendships I have made and the community I’ve found through fuchsias that has kept me involved, as much as my love for the flower itself.” Lorna lives in the Mt. Seymour area of North Vancouver and while she sees lots of wildlife coming and going, she’s happy that there no deer – because deer love fuchsias!

Lorna is the International Corresponding Secretary of the BC Fuchsia and Begonia Society and editor of their newsletter, The Eardrop. She is also a member of the Valley Fuchsia and Geranium Club and editor of The Cascade newsletter. If this wasn’t enough, she is also an active member of the BC Council of Garden Clubs, and their current Membership Chair. She has attended events up and down the west coast of North America as well as travelling to England and New Zealand, indulging her passion for fuchsias and begonias and forging friendships along the way.