Green fingered nana's help please.

[Glammanana]

I have mentioned over the past weeks that I have been planting new baskets and tubs something John would have done by now but I'm getting there and only have a few pots to plant up now, in my wisdom ordered from DM's plant offer 2 x fuchsia 3ft trees for the front patio it was a 241 offer and they arrived yesterday,I have never seen such poor looking plants in my life and I am certainly no gardener I gave them a really good soaking last night and hoped they looked brighter this am but they look just as bad I am not asking for a refund but have told them how unhappy I am with the product.
Does anyone have any idea how to bring them back to life at all they are planted in small pots and I have lots of fresh compost and 2 x large pots which will give them plenty of room to take root. xxx

[Lizzie48]

Well, I am not a greenfingered nana, but, I have found over the years that given time and patience the plants will recover, put them in larger pots and they should take hold, as long as the roots are healthy. I have a plant on my balcony, do not know the name, but, Lidl were getting rid of it a few years ago, looked so sad and forlorn, brought it home, put it in a larger pot and it is still growing, in fact, had to re-pot it lately as it is doing so well. I would complain though as it is not what you expected to receive.

[Mimi]

Glamm give them time to recover.
sometimes plants go into 'shock ' causing them to look as if they are dying .

I have no experience with fuchsia trees but for years I have grown fuchsia bushes and once they are established outdoors they can become really hardy.
I would suggest you keep them out of prolonged hot sunshine for a while and protect from any strong wind for the time being and then later , when they show signs of recovery move them to your permanent place of choice.

You may well find that you get new growth below the older growth as it recovers.

[Nanto2girls]

As others have said Glamma,give them time.

Hubby has been known to bring things that are almost dead,potted them up and watered them,and they come back to life.

[Oma]

I bought two fuchsias from Morrisons last year from the reduced rack 48p each , B laughed as they did look sorry for themselves .
after a few weeks they perked up and we got a good show of them ,
They died off over the winter but have came back and are looking good .
It did take a few weeks before they revived mind you so don't give up on them but do complain Glamm

[Daisy]

Glamm, as Mimi says, the trees may be in shock and like a human patient need time to recover. I'd treat them very gently. I wouldn't pot them on just yet, unless they are root-bound (ie you can see roots coming out of the bottom of the pot). Give them time to recover a bit.

I agree keep them in a sheltered but warm spot out of direct sunlight. Against a south facing wall, but shaded, would be good because the bricks will retain warmth from the sun overnight, like a storage radiator, so you won't get too much fluctuation in temperature.

If there are any broken stems, cut them off below the break. It's better to give them a good soaking and then let them almost (but not quite!) dry out before watering again.

Are they already 3ft tall? If so they may need a stake like a garden cane to keep them supported for a while.

You can put them in full sun when you're happy with them, and they should flower until the frosts get to them.

Some fuchsias are hardy, others need protection during the winter, but I think they all lose their leaves. I've got a lovely variegated fuchsia bush and every year I think I've lost it, but it comes back without fail.

Good luck with your poorly looking babies - can you show us a photo?

[Lizzie48]

This is the plant I got from the Lidl, the olive trees I got as well, they had been so neglected so I rescued them, must be almost 10 years ago now.

[Plantaholic]

If they are trees, they need slightly different care as they flower on hard wood and those new shoots are very delicate. I agree with Daisy and don't let them have direct sunlight, keep them watered. Do you have anywhere to overwinter them because unlike shrubs they will require to be kept frost free. Good luck, I am sure with care they will be fine and will probably throw out some new shoots.

[Gemini]

Good advice and experience here Glamma! I hope the fuchsias perk up

[Glammanana]

Thanks so much ladies they both have support sticks to keep them upright and do look a wee bit healthier today now they have spread out a little,I have a shed to put them in when frost decends over winter time.You have all done so well with the casualties that you have saved they look amazing.
I have always been partial to Fuschia's since I was little and going to school a garden I passed on the way to school had some in their garden and with us living in a two up two down with no garden thought they looked so posh.I have sent an email complaining about the quality of the plants and received a message they will respond within 28 days. they must have a lot of complaints to reply to.

[Daisy]

Glamm - well done. It sounds as though your little ugly ducklings will turn into beautiful swan fuchsias quite quickly.

I love them too. I remember going to Shrewsbury Flower Show when I was about 5 and being totally blown away by fucshias and multi-coloured carnations and standing looking at them for ages. I couldn't believe anything so beautiful existed. I always thought it was posh to have a tree in your garden when I was a child, but didn't get a garden with a tree in until we moved to Bromborough! (Near where Glamm lives, ladies)

[Glammanana]

Daisy,just an update really my fucshias have really perked up and started to flower one looks better than the other but its coming along nicely,I give them a good old water every night when I water the tubs in the back garden I am going to move them into the front garden in a week or two next to my rose bushes,thanks for all you help. xxx

[Daisy]

Glamm - that's wonderful - well done to you. See, you have got green fingers - your fuchsias have proved it. Hopefully they will rest over winter (in a sheltered place) and give you as much pleasure again next year.

It sounds as though you are protected from seaside winds?

[Plantaholic]

Well done Glamm