OCTOBER - FUCHSIA

Our plant of the month for October is the Fuchsia, a versatile and pretty shade loving plant.
Fuchsias originate from South America where they grew wild. Almost all the varieties that we know of come from South and Central America, Tahiti and also right here in New Zealand. They are named after Leonhard Fuchs, a German physician and botanist who lived in the 1500's.  Originally there were around 100 varieties known, but now there are over 7,000 over the world.

Fuchsias are a very popular perennial, easy to grow and maintain, providing a beautiful centerpiece for baskets and pots.

The secret to success with Fuchsias is in the watering, position and feeding.
Fuchsias like to be kept cool and moist, making them a prefect patio plant. They come in a huge range of colours, and different shapes and sizes. Great in hanging baskets where you can let their blooms drape over the sides, or as a standard plant in a pot. They also do well planted out in the garden as long as they are sheltered from the hot midday sun and strong winds. Their colours range from purple, red, hot pink and right through to the pale and delicate shades of pink and creams, flowers can be single or large doubles in form.

They are a strong blooming plant, preferring a shady spot although some can tolerate more sun than others - see the 'Shadow Dancer series', which will be in-store later this month. They like to be heavily watered, almost daily, in the warm months and well fed, they also must have very good drainage.
 
Use Kings Container Mix for potting up, apply Satur-aid in a garden situation or if your pots/baskets don't get regular watering. Feed fortnightly with Kings Fast Food liquid fertiliser.
 
They make the perfect gift as always come full of bloom and keep flowering throughout summer.