Thanks Tight. Will use that method this summer when it gets hot here. My starts should be delivered tomorrow. Your advice in a previous post talked about trying different plants to see what grows the best in a given climate sounded good to me. Ordered eight different varities. But, which way to grow them out now? Under flourscents, or natural light?? Or do half and half? Maybe ordering them this early was not too smart, But, want to have them blooming in May when the hummers arrive and also the learning curve and keeping myself busy this winter.

Anyone with any suggestions, jump on in here. The books I have read so far did not go into this part of growing fuchsia. (Or I missed it) bob in Kansas

Hi Bob

I am not sure what the light level/temperature is where you live?

This is really the all important factor at any time of year keeping them both at a level where the plants are growing at a rate that allows you to get as many Âstops in as you can without the plant becoming too Âleggy and looking for light or too Âsoft with enough light and too much heat. That all sounds a bit complicated but really what you need is a balance.

Your starts are what we call over here Âcuttings and I am looking through the fuchsia nurseries on the web to see which I will be getting to try for the new season. However I donÂt really want mine until March time here as I have enough material to take the few cuttings I will need, I have been through the taking cuttings for the sake of it routine many times over many years and I came to the conclusion many years ago that I really didnÂt need 30 plants of ÂNellie Nuttal or whatever.

The Âstarts/cuttings that I receive usually arrive through the post and look like this.

When your starts arrive you need (depending on how they look and how big they are) to pot them up into the nearest pot size you can to fit the rootball of the start (the choice of compost is up to you (see website for my book for details on compost)). Keep the starts somewhere light and warm but not in direct sunshine for a couple of days, this helps them to them recover from any Âcheck received during transit. You can if you need to, spray them with Âtepid water but try and do this as early in the day as possible so that there is no moisture hanging around overnight.

Keep a careful watch on the starts and after a couple of days you can move them to a light airy position where the light/heat balance is achieved. Probably after 2 weeks you can take the growing tips out and start producing from these starts .... but thatÂs for another thread.

Tight....