Hi Firstly, how great to find this resource! I am not a seasoned, pardon the pun, gardener but for the past couple of years I've really enjoyed having fuschia having baskets on my somewhat shaded on do balcony. So has my hummingbird friend. I really didn't know they could be wintered properly and didn't this year. However, 2 of the 3 baskets seem to have done well over the mild winter. I didn't prune in the fall but did through the summer. The plants have quite a bit of green currently except the one which seems dead. Would it be okay to cut them back now? I just gave them each abit of water. Basically, can I save these? They are the Dark Eye variety with purple flowers. Thank you.
it is unclear to me in your description - above - is this the first winter for these particular 3 fuschia baskets? are they in a cold sundeck or what - I can't tell from the photos off the top of my head - this should work - the things I'd be careful about for now (til we get more spring on the lower mainland west end of the city) 1. insects mites 2. drying out // over watering 3. sun burn thru the glass - if you're facing south in full sun, it's pretty warm and bright already in Feb. then - when it's safe to put them sheltered outside - after frost risk / deep freeze risk - then start feeding them some watered solution (not sure which numbers you should choose - someone else will chime in on that, I hope) you may want to trim back some SOME of the dead end straggly bits - but not to the roots - maybe leave about 6 inches of branch (stem) on each of the branches. I have rescued some that lasted over winter outdoors near you there - and i did fill-in some spots with a couple of new purchases from the garden center (more annual fuschias) - and it all turned out nicely. these like a dappled shade which lots of places in the west end would have, I'm sure. happy hummingbirds - make sure they don't hit your windows - have you seen the window reflectors that help birds?
