How to protect tender plants

loulou41

Would like to know what other gardeners do regarding tender plants. I do not have a greenhouse or cold frame. I want to protect a climbing black fuchsias plant. I do no know whether I should bring it in and leave in kitchen, leave in shed or outside and cover with barks in a sheltered position. Thanks

Apodemus

Lou Lou, firstly, although “gender” is of course a “protected characteristic” I think you might want to edit the title of this thread!

Where in the country are you? The degree of protection you need might vary with the climate expectations of your area.

Apodemus

When I used to grow fuschias, I overwintered them by leaving them in their pots, on their sides in the shed or garage. Not always successful, but probably more due to them drying out too much, rather than cold.

In the end I gave up trying to keep Fuschsias from year to year, as the frost season is just too long where I am.

loulou41

Oops typo mistake. I am in uk.

Farway

loulou41 wrote: »

Oops typo mistake. I am in uk.

Whereabouts? Lot of difference between Dorset & Dumfries

unrecordings

I'm currently sorting out my overwintering. Fortunately I've got a greenhouse, but anything too tender for that even is coming indoors - chillis for example are going on windowsills. Some of the greenhouse stuff will get bubblewrap around the pots (not through experience, just seems sensible)

Davesnave

Most of my fuchsias stay in the ground and they're better off there. If I lived somewhere cold or in a frost pocket, I'd cover them with raked-up leaves and pegged-down fleece.

I don't recognise the words 'climbing black fuchsia' as being anything I might have, or have had. Firstly, in my world, fuchsias don't climb, though some can get very tall , and there are no black ones. I'm therefore wondering if it's a fuchsia you have, or if it is, whether this is a weird & wonderful name cooked-up by someone selling them over the internet etc. Some of the more exotic fuchsias are definitely not hardy enough to stay in the garden.

The only other thing I can add now is that most fuchsias in pots that have sat out all summer will have vine weevil grubs in the compost. If these aren't thwarted in their bid to eat every root they can, then it will be 'Bye-bye fuchsia' come the spring. In a pot, a re-pot is usually needed and always given here, or there are (expensive) nematodes and a chemical treatment specifically for weevils called Bug Clear (or something like that, but not the general purpose spray by the same name.)

Apodemus

Farway wrote: »

Whereabouts? Lot of difference between Dorset & Dumfries

Dumfries? Try Drumnadrochit or Dunnet!

malebolge

Davesnave wrote: »

The only other thing I can add now is that most fuchsias in pots that have sat out all summer will have vine weevil grubs in the compost. If these aren't thwarted in their bid to eat every root they can, then it will be 'Bye-bye fuchsia' come the spring. In a pot, a re-pot is usually needed and always given here, or there are (expensive) nematodes and a chemical treatment specifically for weevils called Bug Clear (or something like that, but not the general purpose spray by the same name.)

Eek, Davesnave, you've reminded me of my all time nemesis - vine weevil grubs . It's not just the fuchias they eat, too - if I leave any fuchias in pots outside with other plants they'll happily eat them too. It's like I've prepared a tasting menu for them. I've practically given up overwintering my fuchias - my local independent nursery was selling beautiful, large, grub free plants for 60p a pot this year. I'm clearing out the tubs, will replace next year and not have loads of weevily compost to get rid of.

loulou41

Davesnave wrote: »

Most of my fuchsias stay in the ground and they're better off there. If I lived somewhere cold or in a frost pocket, I'd cover them with raked-up leaves and pegged-down fleece.

I don't recognise the words 'climbing black fuchsia' as being anything I might have, or have had. Firstly, in my world, fuchsias don't climb, though some can get very tall , and there are no black ones. I'm therefore wondering if it's a fuchsia you have, or if it is, whether this is a weird & wonderful name cooked-up by someone selling them over the internet etc. Some of the more exotic fuchsias are definitely not hardy enough to stay in the garden.

The only other thing I can add now is that most fuchsias in pots that have sat out all summer will have vine weevil grubs in the compost. If these aren't thwarted in their bid to eat every root they can, then it will be 'Bye-bye fuchsia' come the spring. In a pot, a re-pot is usually needed and always given here, or there are (expensive) nematodes and a chemical treatment specifically for weevils called Bug Clear (or something like that, but not the general purpose spray by the same name.)

Fuchsia Lady In Black. This exciting brand new climbing fuchsia is a world sensation! It climbs effortlessly creating a spectacular display all summer long while producing an abundance of beautiful two-tone pink and ...

Davesnave

loulou41 wrote: »

Fuchsia Lady In Black. This exciting brand new climbing fuchsia is a world sensation! It climbs effortlessly creating a spectacular display all summer long while producing an abundance of beautiful two-tone pink and ...

Hmm....Your cut n' paste led me to the prime source of all things exaggerated in the gardening kingdom, T&M!

I was right; it doesn't climb, as it has no tendrils to cling with, so it must be tied-in. It's also not black.

Apart from that, the info and name show great accuracy. :rotfl:

No matter, it's claimed to be hardy, and as it's hinted Lady Boothby is in its provenance, that could well be true. In that case, in the ground and covered with a bark mulch would be ideal, but if it's mobile and in compost then my warning about vine weevil is more important than any arguments about the accuracy of advertising copy.

https://tycwmnursery.co.uk/product/fuchsia-lady-in-black/


https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/8-vine-weevil-killer-nematodes