Epiphytic Fuchsias

Hi Joe,
I saw your interest in the epiphytic Fuchsias, which i have also, but
I have
a species, F. boliviensis, that tolerates heat as long as it gets some
sun'
I've grown it in zone 9 where i got down to 24F. You're welcome to some
seed, it's a spectacular plant; grey-green foliage, 3" white tubes
ending
with dark pink sepals, about 10' tall.

chuck Schwartz

On Jul 13, 2006, at 7:24 AM, Jim McKenney wrote:

Joe Shaw asked about Fuchsia suitable to his Houston, Texas climate.

Do you know the old Fuchisa triphylla hybrid called Gartenmeister
Bonstedt?
This won't get you the sort of bragging rights that come with rarities
such
as the wild forms of Fuchsia decidua and F. fulgens, but if you are
looking
for a heat/humidity tolerant and very ornamental Fuchsia, a plant with
real
éclat, this is it. Superficially, it is similar to Fuchsia fulgens.

If I'm not mistaken, and I often am, I vaguely recall reading that one
of the parents of Gartenmeister Bonstedt was a low elevation Caribbean
Fuchsia species, which is where it got it's ability to withstand hot,
humid conditions. As with many other such plants, it is pretty commonly
available at most mainstream nurseries here in California. It is a very
nice Fuchsia, even if you're in a climate where you're able to grow the
more typical Fuchsia hybrids.

As for Fuchsia boliviensis that Chuck mentions, it isn't nearly as
common, but I only recently learned that along with its ability to take
the heat, it can also take quite a bit more cold than I at first
thought. I got mine at Kartuz Nursery in San Diego County and they
claim that it is frost tender. (It also sounds like Chuck has the
'Alba' form; in the common species, the flowers are all one solid dark
pink color.) [See descriptions below.]

But Woodlanders Nursery on the mid-Atlantic East Coast says Tony Avent
(of Plant Delights Nursery; and I think he's on this list too) has
successfully overwintered it in North Carolina. Or at least the clone
they brought back from northern Argentina has done so. They claim it's
hardy to zone 7. So this sounds like an excellent candidate for Joe to
try in Houston as well. I think both forms are very striking. In
Pasadena they prefer afternoon shade in the summer when it's hot.

However, I don't think either are geophytes.

--Lee Poulsen
Pasadena, California, USDA Zone 10a

Both of these places offer these for sale.

http://www.woodlanders.net/
Fuchsia boliviana
Bright red tubular flowers in pendulous clusters.This Fuchsia is from a
subtropical rainforest region should prove much more heat tolerant than
common types. Overwintered successfully for Tony Avent in Raleigh, NC.
Tucuman Province, Argentina.

Seed, Tafi del Valle, Argentina
USDA Hardiness Zone 7-9

----------

http://www.kartuz.com/
Fuchsia boliviana
Frost-tender shrub with soft grey-green leaves and red veins, pendent
clusters of long-tubed scarlet flowers. So. American Andies. Onagraceae

Fuchsia boliviana 'Alba'
Frost-tender shrub with soft grey-green leaves and red veins, pendent
clusters of long-tubed scarlet sepals and long white corolla.
Onagraceae