Hi, Bel.

Generally speaking, fuchsia isn't an indoor plant. Having said this, however, I have to admit that IÂm currently overwintering mine indoors. Last year I overwintered in my unheated garage, and I lost about half of my collection (including some winter hardy cultivars) to the cold. Unfortunately, my percentages are about the same this year, though at least IÂve enjoyed the survivors (some of them have even bloomed) over the past several months. It seems that my "death rate" has leveled off, and I expect that what remains of my collection will make it to summer.

My biggest challenges for the indoor scenario have been getting enough light and increasing the humidity. It sounds like your light levels should be okay, but you probably need to increase the humidity. Although fuchsia donÂt require the really high levels of humidity need for other types of plants, the average office environment will nevertheless be too dry. IÂve got over 50 of them (along with some begonia and coleus) in one room; this increases the humidity, but I nevertheless run a humidifier several times a week.

By the way, IÂve noticed that with the increased humidity, IÂm watering less often. (At least I am now -- IÂm pretty sure that some of my losses resulted from too much water.) YouÂll need to find the right balance between watering and humidity.

Hope this helps!

-Crazy

Crazy may be on to something. I found my former fuchsias did not like being in my house. They are very fickle plants. I bought a new fuchsia 2 weeks ago at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Since it is still too cold for me to put it outside, I have it indoors in my mini greenhouse, the FRO from IKEA (here is an old picture).

So far, the plant seems to be doing well in the FRO--warm enough, with some humidity.

If you keep it at your office, perhaps try using a larger saucer under your pot, filled with some rocks or hydroponic expanded clay (see link below for picture). If you water these mediums, they should produce some humidity.

Keep in mind, I never tried this with a fuchsia; it is just a suggestion.

Sarah

Here is a link that might be useful:

Hi, Sarah.

How long have you had your fuchsia in the greenhouse? IÂd like to know how this works for you, in case I could adapt that principal for overwintering next year.

Are you monitoring the temperature in the greenhouse? It seems to me that it might be a bit warmer than the optimal temperature for growth....

-Crazy

Crazy, I've only had the fuchsia in the greenhouse for a few weeks. The temp in the greenhouse isn't too warm, b/c the windows are plastic not glass (keep in mind, it is from IKEA). Also, if you see the bottom, there it is open with the metal bars, so air can get it. Currently, I have the greenhouse inside when it is cold (it is inside tonight) and outside during the day when it is warm. The fuchsia will come out soon, b/c once it gets a bit taller, it will be too large for the greenhouse. I do have a table-top terrarium, which I am considering maybe using next. The terrarium doesn't have a bottom, so I can prop it up on some coasters or bricks, to allow air to circulate through the bottom. I will let you know how it works, if I try this.

Sarah