HOW TO GROW FUCHSIAS AS BONSAI

HOW TO GROW
 FUCHSIAS AS
   BONSAI

To grow fuchsias as bonsai requires time and attention. There are many varieties of fuchsias
that are suitable, for example Magelancia or Encliandra.

Choose a variety with small leaves.

Fuchsias have varying degrees of hardiness, but whatever the normal hardiness the variety
you choose has, in the ground, it will be less hardy in a small bonsai pot.

You can start your bonsai tree as a cutting, (see leaflet How to Take Cuttings), or better still
as an established plant.

Look for a thick trunk, preferably with some taper from bottom to top. If it has a flared root
system so much the better, as this will help with the illusion of a mature tree.

DO NOT be in too much of a hurry to put your fuchsia into a proper bonsai pot, it is better to
get the style and shape right first, and this may take more than one growing season.

Bonsai is all about patience!

During the summer months, Fuchsia trees need to be pinched back weekly to control fast
growing shoots and leaf size. When flower buds begin to grow through the growing season,
maintenance pruning of the branches and leaves will have little affect. However, to help the
tree conserve energy required for growth, it is recommended the buds be removed on a
continual basis.

Fuchsias do not take kindly to having branches wired to shape them, as they are not
“proper” wood like a tree. The inside of a branch is pithy rather than heartwood as found in a
tree. The best way to shape a fuchsia is by the 'cut and grow'method, ie at a junction or
internode, remove the leaf and bud on the side you do not want. This will encourage
branching on the other side, hopefully in the direction you want.

The tree prefers a bright, sunny spot if you wish to grow extensive flowering. Otherwise,
provide the tree some shade in the afternoon. The tree needs to be either put inside or
protected from temperatures below 5 degrees C (41F).

Watering: Normal watering, misting is advisable as the tree likes high humidity.

 Feeding: Give a high nitrogen feed feed in spring at half strength, and a balanced feed from
June to September.

 Pruning: To increase ramifications prune/pinch the tree regularly during the growth season.
If you wish to grow thicker branches or a thicker trunk remove the flowers at all times, and do
not prune the branches.

Repotting: As the Fuchsia’s root system grows rapidly, annual repotting is required. A free
draining soil is best (eg 1 part compost, 1 part grit, and one part sand)

Propagation: Use cuttings during the summer.

Bonsai should be shaped with an outline roughly triangular. There are a number of styles
recognised by the BFS

BFS Show Rules (© British Fuchsia Society)

Bonsai is a living art form which possesses all the essential elements of composition, balance,
perspective, texture and colour. A Bonsai Fuchsia should resemble nature in miniature.

JUDGING GUIDELINES

1. The exhibit must be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

2. Exhibits are not to be picked up by the judge. They are viewed as the exhibitor has presented them
and viewed from the front only.

3. It should have the feeling of depth and look to be bowing to you without the branch tips pointing
directly towards you.

4. The trunk and main branches should be visible. There should be an openness such that a small bird
could be imagined flying through it.

5. When judging Fuchsia Bonsai normal judging criteria is used, but it must be secondary to Fuchsia
Bonsai criteria.

POINTS OF APPRAISAL Flowers will be appraised on their general state of freshness. It must be
remembered that flowers on exhibits in this section may be generally smaller than normal - this must
not be considered a fault. The flower should not overwhelm the exhibit either in size or quantity. The
number of flowers open should be in proportion to the size of the exhibit.

Foliage: Leaves will be appraised for their health and cleanliness. Foliage that is damaged, showing
signs of ageing or wilting detracts from perfection, but in general the foliage will be smaller than
normal. The size of the foliage must be in proportion to the exhibit.

Cultural Proficiency: Exhibits in this section should conform to a bonsai shape, with evidence of
training to achieve the desired form -see diagrams for examples of some bonsai shapes. There should
be clear signs of health and vigour; the branches should have good healthy foliage. In this section it
must be considered that bonsai do not require an abundance of flower. There should be evidence of
buds to complement the open flower. There should be no evidence of pests or diseases. Any bonsai
wiring must be unobtrusive.

Presentation: The container should be clean, undamaged and of Bonsai style. The exhibit should be
free from all weeds and debris with natural looking compost surface. Moss is permitted but should not
extend up the trunk. Figurines are allowed but must be in proportion to the exhibit. Exposed roots and
roots over rocks are desirable but not required, however they must not circle or cross each other. The
whole exhibit should be presented at its best to attract attention.

Points System: Overall appearance 50pts-Trunk and Roots l5pts Branches l5pts-Foliage & Flower
l5pts -Container 5pts.

A word about Bonsai pots

Bonsai pots are available at many garden centres, or specialist bonsai outlets.

Whatever pot yo use it MUST have adequate drainage.

All bonsai pots have feet to keep an air flow under the pot.

Get a pot that is going to balance with your tree, ie not too big, or small.

It is a good idea to have a suitable stand for your bonsai, either a dish, a wooden slab, or a mini table.

There are many web sites dedicated to Bonsai, I can recommend these:-

www.bonsaigarden.net

www.weetrees.co.uk

© Keith Martin (June 2011)