Fuchsia New Growth After Cutting Back

This fuchsia was cut back a few weeks ago, down from about 30 cm (12 inches) to a height of 5 cm (2 inches). Before you sharpen the secateurs, can I say that I don't recommend you treat your plants this way, not yet anyhow. I did it because I suspected Red Spider Mite on the lower leaves (this is virtually impossible to eradicate - hence the drastic treatment to remove all the leaves and most stems).

It is in a 3.5 inch (9 cm) pot and rooted in soggy slimy compost. Yet, despite all these negatives, it looks as if it is starting to thrive. Why?

I don't know. But it must have a lot to do with being kept outside for the past few weeks. In fact, it almost certainly is this, because I have a similar plant which is doing even better (although that one is in a pot containing garden soil).

When we remove plants from their natural environment, we seem to be courting trouble. So this result is not exactly unexpected. But I find it amazing that fuchsias indoors (and even in other pots) seem very intolerant to over-watering.

The difference is probably the temperatures. Fuchsias seem to be much more water-tolerant at lower temperatures (which is logical when you think about the seasons - most springs and autumns are wetter than summer).

However, it is not all rosy. If you look at the branch in the top left corner, you might see our new friend 'Botrytis' making an appearance. I have dusted it with sulphur for now, trying to avoid the new growth.