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How to pinch out fuchsias

in Home : Projects: The basics

You will need

  • Fuchsias
  • Sharp, fine-pointed scissors or knife (optional)
Do it: April - June
Takes just: 5 minutes per plant

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Overview

Pinching out the soft growing tips of fuchsia plants encourages the development of bushy side shoots that will be covered in summer flowers. Ideally start pinching out in spring and continue until early summer. The first fuchsia flowers will be produced around four to six weeks after the last pinching.

How to do it

Pinching out growing tip of fuchsia shoot

1On young fuchsia plants or rooted cuttings, allow two to three pairs of leaves to fully expand before pinching out the soft shoot tips with scissors, a knife or your finger nail.

Pinching out large fuchsia plant

2Repeat the pinching 2 or 3 more times, allowing two pairs of leaves to expand fully on each of the subsequent side shoots. This may take between 10 and 20 days, depending on the speed of growth.

Adam's tip

Don't forget to pinch out the tips of hardy garden fuchsias a couple of times. This will stop the plants becoming too leggy and promote masses of blooms right through into the autumn.

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Talkback: How to pinch out fuchsias
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marshaw 24/11/2011 at 15:29

very useful i have taken a lot of cuttings and they are shooting up .with them being cuttings was not sure of pinching out .thanks

Babs3 02/05/2012 at 00:57

does this also apply to trailing fuchsias?

Gold1locks 02/05/2012 at 07:40

Yes. Otherwise they can be a bit straggly.