Ask John Negus
John has been answering reader queries for 50 years
When and how can I relocate my fuchsias?
Q I want to move four full-grown fuchsias to a better place in our garden. Can you tell me when it is OK to move them, please, and how to go about it?
James Thornton (via email)
A The best time to move your fuchsias, presumably hardy varieties, is in October or November when the soil is still summer warm. Your charges will recover well before winter.
Start by shortening stems to within 1-2ft (30-60cm) of the base, to reduce water loss. Then lift each bush with as large a rootball as possible.
large a rootball as possible. Reset them in generous planting holes enriched with soil-conditioning compost and water them in.
If severe weather ensues, protect plants from hard frost by erecting canes around each plant and draping them with several layers of fibre fleece. In spring, speed growth by feeding with Vitax Q4 or fish, blood and bone meal.
For more on hardy fuchsias, see Camilla Phelps’ article on page 34.
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