Question
I have an indoor fuchsia plant that is not doing well and I am getting conflicting advice as to what to do.  The plant is dropping the pink bulbs before they fully bloom, up to 10 a day.  I repotted it from an 8" pot into a 10" pot and the problem is still continuing.  Another symptom is that the plant is still standing upright, rather than sagging.  I thought the problem would take care of itself, I assumed it was shipped wrapped in cellophane or something, but the entire plant is still completely upright.

Answer
Hi Brooke,

Fuchsias are not easy houseplants because they require a lot of very bright indirect light and cool temps. Most people keep them outside in a protected location at this time of year. Lack of light and temps that are too warm can both cause bud drop.

Although Fuchsias do not like the soil to get dried out, they also prefer to be tightly potted. Once in bud or flower, they should not be repotted because the trauma of repotting disrupts the flowering cycle. Although the repotting may not have been the original cause of bud drop, it has certainly aggravated the problem and has made it less likely to put out more buds because the plant will not put most of its energy into filling the pot with roots rather than forming flowers.

There are hundreds of different Fuchsia hybrids and some of them are upright plants rather than hanging plants. I would assume that is what you have.

I didn't understand your reference to "wrapped in cellophane." Where did you get your Fuchsia?

At this point, I can only recommend that you move your Fuchsia outside into light shade, if possible. If you have to keep it indoors, it should be right in front of a west window. Water thoroughly only when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Do not fertilize. That is all that you can do and, unfortunately, that may not be enough.

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

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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