Propagating your fuchsias via cuttings has two advantages over seeding: Firstly, the chances of success are greater and the whole process is methodically simpler. You can also guarantee that your fuchsias are true to variety, as cuttings always carry the same genetic information as the mother plant.
When to take fuchsia cuttingsCuttings should be taken when the fuchsia needs to go under the knife for pruning. Therefore, use the spring or autumn pruning to take cuttings for propagation. But if the cuttings are taken in the spring, they will root faster.
scissors take fuchsia cutCuttings are obtained from shoots that are not yet woody and healthy [Photo: Stanislav71/ Shutterstock.com] How to take fuchsia cuttingsFirst, select a suitable photo shoot. The cuttings should be taken from shoots that are not yet woody and healthy – but the selected shoots should not be too young or soft either. In addition, at least two pairs of leaves should already be formed. Once a suitable shoot has been found, it’s time to take the cuttings:
Use a clean, sharp knifeCut off the shoot below the last pair of leavesFill the pot with growing soilRemove the lower leaves, leaving only the top two pairs of leavesStick the cutting halfway into the potting soilPlace a plastic bag or a foil cover over the potLocation: Bright and warm; approximately 20°CKeep the soil loose and moist at all timesThe small growing pots must always have a drainage hole so that the cutting does not get too wet. The foil protection provides sufficient humidity. It takes about two to three weeks until enough roots have formed to replant in a slightly larger pot. They can then also be replanted in pots with ordinary potting soil. When the pot becomes too small, it should be moved to a larger one. Cuttings propagation can be considered successful as soon as new pairs of leaves develop on the cuttings. The cuttings can be planted outside from mid-May onwards. Shorten the shoots a little in advance, this promotes well-branched growth.
woman holding fuchsia cuttings and scissorsBefore planting out, the shoots should be trimmed a bit [Photo: Stanislav71/ Shutterstock.com] Propagating fuchsias: cuttings or divisionAnother method of propagation of fuchsias is sinks. However, this only works for planted or potted fuchsias, which are placed directly in the soil. For this purpose, a shoot is gently bent down to the ground without breaking. Stabilize the shoot so that one bud touches the ground. With any luck, new roots will sprout from this bud. When it is large enough, the shoot can be cut from the mother plant. After that, the cuttings can be moved to their own pot and cared for in the same way as young plants from seeds or cuttings. A final method is the division of large plants. When propagating fuchsias by division, proceed as follows:
Dig up the fuchsia plantClear soil from the root ball and remove diseased, damaged and dead roots.Carefully split the root ball in two vertically with a spadePlant fuchsias in the desired location or in new potsFuchsias tend to develop a substantial root system, which can be an obstacle when dividing. This is because the roots should not be damaged too much if possible so that the continued growth of the plant is not impaired.
