What preparations are needed before taking cuttings of fuchsia

Fuchsia, also known as hanging bell begonia and lantern flower, is an evergreen small shrub in the evening primrose family. Fuchsia is cultivated throughout China. Because fuchsia has a long flowering period and bright flower colors, it is deeply loved by people. However, fuchsia generally does not set seed, so it is mostly propagated by cuttings. The editor will now introduce the preparations before taking fuchsia cuttings.

Fuchsia

1. Cutting time

Apart from the summer dormant period, fuchsia can be propagated by cuttings at any other time as long as the temperature is suitable, but the best time is from November each year to early to mid-April of the following year. This is because this period is the plant's peak growing season, so vigorous cuttings can be selected, and since the temperature is cooler, the cuttings are less likely to rot and the survival rate is higher.

2. Selection of cuttings

For cuttings, it is best to choose branches from the current year that have not yet become woody, preferably with tender tips. The length of the cuttings is generally 6 to 10 cm, and the lower leaves should be cut off. It should be noted that when taking cuttings, sterilized scissors must be used so that the cut surface of the cutting is neat and smooth. Never pinch off cuttings directly from the plant with your hands.

3. Preparation of cutting medium and cutting bed

For the cutting medium, it is best to use sieved fine river sand, but it must be scalded and washed with boiling water for disinfection. The cutting bed can be a shallow pot or wooden box, and it should also be sprayed beforehand with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for disinfection.

How to take fuchsia cuttings: complete the cuttings in 6 steps

In fact, fuchsia can be propagated by cuttings. Apart from the summer dormant period, fuchsia cuttings can be taken in other seasons. Let us look below at how to take fuchsia cuttings.

Apart from the summer dormant period, fuchsia cuttings can be taken at any other time as long as the temperature is suitable. Of course, from November each year to early to mid-April of the following year is better.

For the soil used for fuchsia cuttings, it is recommended to use sieved fine river sand, and it should also be scalded and washed with boiling water for disinfection. The cutting bed can generally be a shallow pot or wooden box, and it is recommended to spray it beforehand with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for disinfection.

For cuttings, generally choose branches from the current year that have not yet become woody, preferably with tender tips. The length of the cuttings is generally 6 to 10 cm, and the lower leaves should be cut off. In addition, when taking cuttings, sterilized scissors must be used so that the cut surface of the cutting is neat and smooth. Never pinch off cuttings directly from the plant with your hands.

When taking cuttings, it is recommended that gardening enthusiasts first soak the fuchsia cuttings in vitamin B12 for 20 minutes, and use a thin bamboo stick to poke a small hole in the sand, then insert the cutting into the sand hole. A depth of 3 to 4 cm is suitable, and the spacing between cuttings should be kept at about 8 cm to facilitate potting after rooting. After the branches are inserted, water thoroughly once, cover with plastic sheeting, and maintain the humidity of the cutting bed.

After fuchsia cuttings are taken, place the cutting bed indoors in a place with diffused light. It is recommended not to expose it directly to sunlight at first. Keep the room temperature at about 20 degrees Celsius, and after a week allow it to receive some light.

In addition, after fuchsia cuttings are taken, water should be sprayed into the cutting bed frequently. In winter, spray once a day; in spring, spray once in the morning and once in the evening, keeping the humidity in the cutting bed above 80%. In winter, rooting generally takes about 25 days, while in spring it takes about 20 days.

After the cuttings have rooted, they should be potted in time. The potting soil should be fertilizer-free sandy loam. Both the pot and the growing soil should be disinfected, and broken pot pieces should be used at the bottom of the pot to make a drainage layer. When transplanting, use a small bamboo shovel to gently lift the seedling and place it into a small hole made beforehand in the pot. After positioning it upright, cover the roots with soil. Do not press the soil with your hands, to avoid damaging the roots and seedling from too much force.

After the young seedlings are planted, water thoroughly once immediately so that the soil naturally settles. Then place the pot in a shaded place for cultivation. If there is no wilting of the leaves after three days, it can be allowed to receive light. After one month, apply a small amount of dilute liquid fertilizer and enter normal management.

Fuchsia cutting method

Cutting time for fuchsia

Apart from the summer dormant period, fuchsia can be propagated by cuttings at any other time as long as the temperature is suitable, but from November to mid-April each year is most suitable. This is because this period is the plant's peak growing season, and vigorous branches can be selected for cuttings. In addition, since the temperature is cooler, the branches are less likely to rot after cutting, and the survival rate is also very high.

Selection of fuchsia cuttings

The cuttings should be chosen from current-year growth, must not yet be woody, and preferably have tender tips. The cuttings should be cut to a length of 6 to 10 cm, and the lower leaves should be cut off.

It should be noted that when taking cuttings, it is best to use sterilized scissors and try to ensure the cut surface of the cutting is smooth. It is not good to pinch them off directly with your hands.

Preparation of cutting medium and cutting bed for fuchsia

 For the cutting medium, it is best to use sieved fine river sand, but it must be scalded and washed with boiling water for disinfection. The cutting bed can be a shallow pot or wooden box, and it should also be sprayed beforehand with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for disinfection. If gardening enthusiasts find this troublesome, they can directly buy soil.

Fuchsia cutting method

When taking cuttings, first soak the cuttings in vitamin B12 for 20 minutes. Branches that have been soaked will grow very well later.

Use a thin bamboo stick to poke a small hole in the sand, then insert the cutting into the sand hole. A depth of 3 to 4 cm is suitable, and keep a distance of about 8 cm between cuttings to facilitate potting after rooting.

After cutting, water thoroughly and cover with plastic sheeting to retain moisture. Do not expose to strong sunlight; ordinary temperature is fine.

Post-cutting management of fuchsia

 After cutting, the cutting bed should be placed indoors in a place with diffused light. It must not be exposed directly to sunlight. Keep the room temperature at about 20 degrees Celsius, and only after a week may it receive some light.

Frequently spray water into the flowerpot. If cuttings are taken in winter, spray once a day; in spring, spray once in the morning and once in the evening. Keep soil humidity above 80%. In winter, rooting generally takes 25 days, while in spring it takes 20 days.

Potting fuchsia seedlings

After the cuttings survive, they should be potted in time and planted separately in pots. Choose fertilizer-free sandy loam for the potting soil. Both the pot and the growing soil should be disinfected, and broken pot pieces should be used at the bottom of the pot to make a drainage layer. Use a small bamboo shovel to gently lift the young seedlings and place them in a prepared flowerpot. After positioning them upright, bury the roots well and press the soil firm with your hands. After the young seedlings are planted, water once immediately so that the soil naturally settles, then place them in a cool place for care. If after 3 days the leaves show no wilting, they can receive light. After one month, apply a thin fertilizer once, and normal management will be fine.