| Ed's Fushia Plants | ||
| Solvang | Fushias Fushias are evergreen in frost free climates. They bloom from early summer to the first frost. There are at least 500 varieties with wide variety of combinations within color range. The flowers have no fragrance but hummingbirds visit them. Fushias grow best in cool weather, modified sunlight, and with moisture in atmosphere and soil. Water as often as you can. It is impossible to give thriving fushias in a well drained container too much water. Apply complete fertilizer frequently. You can take cuttings and grow them into thriving plants in a few months. If plant is growing bigger than you like, pinch out tips of branches whenever you can. This makes the plant bushier. Pick off old flowers. Never allow berries to form. They reduce flower production. The worst pests in California are spider mites and white flies. If they are not controlled they cause leaves to yellow and drop. To discourage red spider mites spray undersides with insecticide, orthene at 5 to 6 day intervals. In the northwest the worst pest is aphids. Use any general purpose insecticide. Fushias everywhere need some pruning in early Spring. Cut out approximately the volume of growth that formed previous summer. Leave about 2 healthy leaf buds on that growth. In Spring prune out broken branches and cut back into live wood. Fushias are easy to grow if above directions are followed. Farmer Ed |