Standard Fuchsias

[Georgie]

All the cuttings I took of my Fuchsia 'Beacon' have rooted and I've decided I'm going to try and grow them as standards as an experiment.  I know what I need to do so wish me luck.  And if anyone else has done this before and has any handy hints and tips I'd be happy to hear them.  Here's a snap I took of one of the bushes a few weeks back.   As you can see it is very healthy and long flowering.   :)  G x

[Georgie]

[teresa]

Fushia's are easy to grow as standards have you got the 3 leaf cuttings growing?
I take mine in early spring they grow faster, but if you have them rooted now keep them frost free in light and stake them. How big are they now?

[Georgie]

They are about 3" tall and are living in the mini greenhouse.

G x

[muddy boots]

Great thing to do.  Given the way the flowers grow, I think its the best way of growing them.  It's such a shame that you can't see the flowers at their best on the bush ones as they grow so low.  Looking forward to lots of piccies when they're ready, Georgie!

[Georgie]

Aww thanks, so nice when people have such faith.   :)

G x

[teresa]

Fuchsia 'Beacon'  although it is hardy in the garden a standard will be killed back by the frost. So needs indoor protection in the winter otherwise it becomes a bush again.
just thought I would mention it just incase.

[veggie perin]

Hi Georgie,
here's few tips for growing standards;

do not allow plant to become potbound as it will start to produce flowers

pot on 1" at a time, dont be in too big a hurry to get it into final pot size

remove any flowers as this will slow down growth

tie to cane at regular intervals and check regularly that string is not too tight

remove all side shoots to encourage upward growth

stop removing side shoots when you reach desired height of bare stem

but do not pinch out growing tip until 4 or 5 sets of leaves and side shoots
above the bare stem have grown, then you can pinch out growing tip, you can now work on pinching out these as you would do for a normal bush fuchsia,
many fast growing varieties will form a head in one season, others may take
one and a half seasons, ideally you should not let it flower in the first season,
removing the buds when formed as the newly formed branches may be too weak to support any weight of flowers

'whips' or young standards can be grown close together to encourage upward growth.


Do not remove leaves from the bare stem until they fall off or until the head is well formed as these act as the 'lungs' for the plant

April or May is the ideal time to start off whips as growth is more rapid than in winter and there should still be enough growing time to form head before next winter


hope this may have helped a little, will try and post a photo of mine when I figure out how to do it  ;)

[Georgie]

I did wonder about that, Teresa. I suppose I could keep them in the mini greenhouse over winter.   ???

Hey Veggie, comprehensive advice there, thanks very much.   :)

G x

[laurieuk]

Might I just add one small point that sometimes get missed, when removing the side shoots do retain the leaves on the main stem as this helps build up the stem itself. Not trying to be clever but it does help.

Hi Georgie,
here's few tips for growing standards;

do not allow plant to become potbound as it will start to produce flowers

pot on 1" at a time, dont be in too big a hurry to get it into final pot size

remove any flowers as this will slow down growth

tie to cane at regular intervals and check regularly that string is not too tight

remove all side shoots to encourage upward growth

stop removing side shoots when you reach desired height of bare stem

but do not pinch out growing tip until 4 or 5 sets of leaves and side shoots
above the bare stem have grown, then you can pinch out growing tip, you can now work on pinching out these as you would do for a normal bush fuchsia,
many fast growing varieties will form a head in one season, others may take
one and a half seasons, ideally you should not let it flower in the first season,
removing the buds when formed as the newly formed branches may be too weak to support any weight of flowers

'whips' or young standards can be grown close together to encourage upward growth.


Do not remove leaves from the bare stem until they fall off or until the head is well formed as these act as the 'lungs' for the plant

April or May is the ideal time to start off whips as growth is more rapid than in winter and there should still be enough growing time to form head before next winter


hope this may have helped a little, will try and post a photo of mine when I figure out how to do it  ;)

[veggie perin]

Hi georgie,
Here's photo of a half standard  Fuchsia, shellford is the cultivar, hope link works ok...............Veggie   

[teresa]

Veggie
she is lovely how old is she?

[shirlton]

That is one of my favourite fuchsias. I grew a couple of half baskets of that one year. I used to tie my fuchsia's to the cane with nylon stockings so that they stretched with the growing plant. Your's is a fine specimen, probably the best Ive ever seen

[Georgie]

Oh Veggie, that is superb.  Well done you.   ;D

G x

[lorna]

Wow. That is beautiful.

[rosebud]

Hi VP, nice to see you around again.  That is one stunning fuschia Veggie.
I have kept the info, you gave me but i need to ask your advice so i shall pm you ok .  Mary. ;D

[veggie perin]

georgie,
my half standard was about 7 or 8yrs, grew it from a cutting, it's quite a vigourous variety and i managed to form a head inabout one season, every year it just got bigger, it was very difficult to transport in a car, think they just gave me prizes for managing to get it there :) the last time i showed it at ayr show was a dissapointment as i got it disqualified because I put some gravel on the surface of the pot to dress it up a little, ended up seling it after that and I believe it's still being shown, have given up the Fuchsias for my new love ..the plot and I'm really enjoying it...love the forum, this time of year is the only time that I have time for a 'blether' as I'm busy growing , making soup, pickling etc the rest of the time......will dig out a few more photos and put them in the gallery...it helps brighten up the winter a bit eh!........regards...Veggie

[Georgie]

Look forward to more pics, veggie.   :)

G x