Marianne's Response

Sungron-question

I overwintered a couple of potted fuschias in my garage. They are starting to leaf out, but the leaves are pale and sickly looking. Shall I put them outside for a few hours when the sun is out and bring them in to improve the leaves and harden them off or wait a bit until it warms up?

Posted by on March 19, 2012

Marianne's Response

Go ahead and start to bring them outdoors on nice days and also bring them inside near a bright window. You should also begin to fertilize a few weeks after you see signs of new growth. Be sure to feed with a slow release plant food like osmocote but at half strength. The pale new growth you see is very tender and too much fertilizer or hot sun would damage the leaves. You may want to cut back the plants if they are lanky and leggy. Once all danger of frost is passed you can let the potted fuchsias sit out all night. Don't expect a lot of flowers until July. When you overwinter plants in your garage you save money by not having to buy more plants but you do wait longer for flowers. It is a great challenge to get your fuchias and geraniums to return for an encore - enjoy. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti