Question
1.  Are fuschias considered to be a tropical plant?
2.  Are fuschias related to Bougainvillea (sp)?
3.  How does one tend to them in winter?
4.  The flowers are being pollinated by a honey bumble bee!
5.  What is the age of a full-flowering hanging fuschia?
6.  I live in the very temperate Middle TN zone.

Answer
Hi Terry,

Thee are about 100 species of Fuchsia and nearly all of them originate in tropical and semi-tropical South and Central America. The most common species are hardy in Zones 9-11. So it is unlikely that yours will survive TN winters in Zones 6 and 7.

Fuchsias and Bougainvilleas are not related.

To overwinter a Fuchsia, leave it outside until the first light frost. Then prune the stems back to about 5-6 inches. Store it in a cool (55-60 degree) location where there is little light and just enough moisture to keep the roots from drying out completely. In February, you can move it to a warmer, lighter indoor location and start to water it normally. By April, you should be able to move it back outside again.

There is no age associated with a blooming Fuchsia. The time it takes for them to flower varies with the rooting stock and the environment in which it is raised. I am not sure of the purpose of your age question. Perhaps, you are trying to get at something else.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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