Removing the growing tip at the top of a plant allows the buds lower down the stem (in the angles where each leaf joins the stem) to develop into new side shoots. This makes the plant bush out, rather than growing up into a long single pole.This principle is called 'stopping' or 'pinching out' and will work for almost any plant.
The process is repeated after every couple-or-so pairs of leaves have developed on each side shoot.
If the plant is watered the night before, the tips will probably snap off just by bending them over.
The new fuchsias have only been stopped once, after the second pair of leaves. Consequently, each plant has four shoots, each of which needs shortening. I have been agonising over whether to leave two or three pairs of leaves on each shoot. Decided to stop after three. This should give nine new branches per stem, thirty-six in total (plus any others which might develop from the base). Since it takes about eight weeks for single fuchsias to flower after stopping, they should be in flower by the end of July. There might be time for another stop. We shall have to see.
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