Just killed another fuschia. Like my fourth or fifth one. I try so hard, give it water, fertilizer, not too much sun and I mean really diluted sun, western, it never got direct sun...and yet, they still die. I got it from a reputable nursery. Halfway through I noticed half the leaves would wilt even though the soil was moist. I'd water daily at first, then I knocked it off because even though the pot had a drainage hole, the soil never seemed to dry out! I then watered a little more sparingly but it didn't seem to matter, the fuschia still had drooping leaves, no budded blooms, and looked sick. Then I moved it into my sunroom where it got more direct sun, cooler temps (because it is airconditioned) and less humidity. Didn't matter half of it still dried up and died. I really can't figure out what I am doing wrong except maybe it just doesn't like hot humid Virginia weather.
you also may be over watering! i water mine in a hnging basket then using a wood chopstick i insert it as deep in the root zone as i can and check how damp the chopstick is. and once it dry(no soil comes out on the stick, similar to testing brownies) i water slowly and thoughly. here is SD i water every 5-10 days
I put 4 starter plants in 12" diameter plastic pots with closeable drain holes. In western Washington on hot sunny days I move them to the shade side of house. I feel the top soil every day, and when it feels dry (or they look droopy) I water them with a watering wand until a little bit of water comes out the drain hole. On days above 85 degrees I lightly water in the morning and in the evening. I fertilize once a week after 6 weeks. I pinch them every 2 leaf joints until 8 weeks before I want them to start blooming. Do NOT water new plants unless really dry. I lost 1/4 of my starts one year from over watering. I have been unsuccessful over wintering my plants without a green house. The new starts I buy every year at Fred Meyers in April (5 for $3.00) do much better than my second year plants. I would like to try 14" diameter plastic hanging baskets this year if someone knows a source online. Email is davepyro@wavecable.com.
