Common Name:

General Information

Fuchsia denticulata is a shrub that varies in habit according to habitat. In more open positions it is a shrub, that can be erect or scandent, growing 1.5 - 4 metres tall, but in forests it can produce climbing stems up to 10 metres long[].
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its eye-catching display of flowers[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Peru, Bolivia

Habitat

Moist canyons in cloud forests and in mountain scrub at elevations from 2,000 - 3,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Humming birds
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Fuchsia denticulata can withstand occasional short-lived frosts with temperatures as low as -3°c, but it needs protection from hard frosts and freezes[]. This species is frost-tender in Britain, though it can succeed in a cold greenhouse. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a wall[]. Another report says that it is totally intolerant of frost[], though we feel that this might be a misprint[].
Plants grow best in a shady position[]. Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[]. Succeeds in a good loam if sand and leafmold are added[].
Fuchsia species flower and fruit mainly on new wood produced in the same growing season. Any pruning, therefore, is best carried out at the start of the growing season, cutting out old wood in order to encourage vigorous new growth[].
The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A good bee plant[]. This species has a long tubular flower and is pollinated by humming birds in the wild[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A juicy berry, it has a nice, slightly acid flavour[, ]. The fruit can be up to 25mm long and 12mm wide[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[] though it can also be sown in the spring[]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out[]. Germination should take place in less than 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/early summer in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[, ]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[].
Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[].