Rooting Fuchsia

[Jerome]

Ann,

How long does it usually take Fuchsia to root using the method you describe on this site?

Thanks,

Jerome

[Ann B.]

Jerome,

Fuchsia are fairly easy to root, and it surprised even me as to how fast they start to root. They will begin to have small roots in as little as 2 weeks, but I usually wait until about 6 weeks before upgrading them to a larger pot.

If it weren't for the fact that our summers are so hot, and these heavy bloomers drop so many spent flowers in the house, I would be an avid collector.

Good Luck and Have FUN!

[Jerome]

Luckily (but usually unluckily) I live in zone 4 so they just drop alot of flowers instead of a ton.

Since we are speaking of temp zones, I have a question I hope someone can help with. I have a 12x20 greenhouse and I want to get the most out of it while keeping costs down. Basically what I want to do with it is cuttings during the colder months and start with spring flowers/vegetables as soo nas I can in the spring. It is a single poly covered greenhouse and it runs east west to get as much southern sun as possible. I will be putting in water barrels to even out the temp some. What type of heat will I need to accomplish this? what months should the cuttings and then plants be done? I know this is alot to ask, but I'm dying to figure it out. I bought some greenhouse books, but they all say alot but nothing too specific. Thanks for any help...

Jerome

[Ann B.]

Jerome,

I apologize that you didn't get an answer to your greenhouse heating question. That is a tough one to answer, and impossible for me since our temps and seasons are so very different from yours.

I did want to report something that I just discovered in my patio. When I moved my Fuchsia to the patio, I broke a few stems. I stuck the stems in water (about 3 weeks ago), and they have roots about 1/2 long. I will be potting them up today. It is harder to transplant plants that root in water when their roots are long and thin.

The temps in my patio have varied from 40 degrees to 70 degrees in the last few weeks.

Maybe one of the newer members who missed this post can answer your greenhouse heating problem.

Good Luck, Jerome!

[Tom]

Jerome,

The answer to your 'propagation' question has more to do with the plant you are doing than the green house.

If, for instance, you are doing localized, outdoor shrub plants in winter then hardwood cuttings will not need any weather protection. You can use media filled cells, or a sand/soiless well drained trench outside. Just keep the cells moist enough that they don't dry out over winter.

The start date for seeds depends on the cold tolerance of the plant in question. e.g.: pansy, snapdragon, or cold crop veg. need to start very early to take advantage of the cool spring or late summer temps. But the tender or heat loving plants will need to develop just in time for late spring planting, such as egg plant, peppers, & tomatoes.

Now, if you do plan to do tropicals, or over winter your patio plants then you will need to keep the temp up beyond the needs of the most tender plant.

[bgauch]

Well, its good that this post was recently refreshed. Yesterday, I met my father-in-law's cousin, who is a farmer in Northern RI (probably 2 weeks behind NY). He does a lot of annuals and hanging baskets in the greenhouse for spring sales. He has one greenhouse in full operation, and he is putting the finishing touches on his second one. He said that he starts March 1st. with a variety of things. He had pretty much everything you find in the garden shops when you look through the annual section. Most things he buys as plugs, but he does seed some things. For his 8-12 hanging baskets, as well as perennials, he buys 2" and 4" plants and transplants them up. By mid/late April, he is done with those plants, and he transitions to starting all his vegetables. He works from then until the Friday before Mother's day. He opens on that Sat. He sells everything he can in that first month. After that, he gets rid of the plants, and starts planting the vegetables. All his plants are gone in that first month. After that he has vegetables. He finishes up the season with pumpkins and bundled corn stalks. March 1st.-Oct. 31st. As for cutting costs, he said he filled one of his oil tanks right at the start. 11 days later he needed more oil. $200 every 11 days to keep his greenhouse at 65 or above. Good luck.

Bill Gauch.