Key Points for Hanging Bells Care at Home
An introduction to the care of hanging bells in a home garden, the key points for hanging bells care at home, with specific details as follows:
Hanging bells, also known as fuchsia, belong to the Fuchsia genus of the Onagraceae family and are evergreen shrubs. The flowers grow singly in the leaf axils and hang downwards. There are single and double-petaled varieties, with red sepals and corollas in purple, blue, white, rose red, and pink colors. Under suitable temperatures, they can bloom throughout the year, especially flourishing in spring and autumn. There are many varieties available, including white sepaled hanging bells, double-petaled hanging bells, narcissus hanging bells, long-tubed hanging bells, and creeping hanging bells.
Hanging bells prefer a cool and humid environment. They require plenty of sunlight in winter and a cool, well-ventilated semi-shaded environment in summer. They dislike heat but are not very cold-tolerant. In spring and autumn, they grow vigorously and should be kept in moist soil, with a thin liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer applied every 7 to 10 days, to provide ample nutrients and promote more flowering.
In summer, the plants grow slowly or stop growing, entering a dormant or semi-dormant state. They should be placed in a shaded area with good ventilation and no direct sunlight, and should not be watered too much or fertilized. When the potting soil dries out, add a small amount of water and avoid rain to prevent heat and humidity, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow, wither, and rot the roots, or even lead to plant death. In autumn, when it cools down, return to normal watering and fertilizing, keeping the soil moist and applying thin fertilizers after September.
In winter, place the pot in a location with plenty of indoor sunlight, ensuring the temperature does not drop below 5°C to safely overwinter. If the air is dry, frequently spray water on the plant to increase humidity, but avoid waterlogging in the soil. In early June and July, cut off some leaves to induce dormancy. In the early autumn after dormancy, cut off or shorten the long, dense, or misshapen branches to encourage new growth.
Since the flower buds of hanging bells are formed in the leaf axils of new shoots, pruning the tips is necessary during cultivation to promote new shoots and form more flower buds, thereby achieving more blooms. Pruning can also adjust the blooming period, with new shoots usually flowering 15 to 25 days after pruning. Additionally, pruning can make the plant shape more full and symmetrical. Replace the potting soil once a year in autumn, removing 1/3 to 1/2 of the old soil and adding new soil. The potting soil should be fertile, loose, rich in humus, and have good drainage.
Hanging bells can be propagated by cutting or sowing, with cutting being the most common method, which can be done throughout the year, especially suitable from March to May and in September and October. Cut the current year's tender branches, 7 to 10 cm long, and insert them into river sand or vermiculite, half the depth of the cutting. Roots will form in about half a month. You can also dip the base of the cutting in rooting powder and then hydroponically cultivate it, with roots forming in about ten days.
The above[] introduces the complete key points for hanging bells care at home for everyone to learn and understand!