Hey everyone! ? I'm about to visit my old home one last time before selling, and I want to take a cutting from my fuchsia bush to grow a new plant for my future garden. I've never done this before, so I'm looking for guidance. What part of the bush should I cut from for the best chance of success? How long should the cutting be? Do I need to use rooting powder when I get home? Any other tips would be super helpful! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
3 Answers
You're in luck—fuchsias generally root well from cuttings! Just a heads up, though, this isn't the easiest time of year for it since we're nearing the end of the hardwood cutting season. If your fuchsia is hardy (meaning it stays in the ground through winter), I'd suggest taking hardwood cuttings. Prepare everything you need before you go, like pots of compost and snips, and try to do it right there at your old home!
If your fuchsia has started to sprout new growth, definitely grab a green shoot! If it's still dormant, it might be trickier. My method is to just snip off a piece, stick it in a glass of water on a windowsill until it roots, then pot it up and increase the pot size as it grows. I know that’s not the 'official' way, but it works for me!
Honestly, if you can dig up part of the bush, that might be a better option. Cutting season is tricky right now, plus you can't guarantee the new owners will let you take any cuttings if they decide to do renovations. If you're set on cuttings, take a tip that has 4 leaves—remove the bottom two leaves and plant the stem under the soil. Hormone powder can help, but it’s optional. Good luck!
Yeah, it’s always worth experimenting! With shrubs, I usually take several cuttings and put six in a pot with a plastic cover, then just let them be on the windowsill or in a greenhouse. Since fuchsias root from hardwood cuttings, the success rate can be low, but sometimes you get lucky!