Fuchsia Dropped All Flowers Since Purchase

Q: The fuchsia I bought at the nursery was in full bloom when I brought it home, but I hung it in a shady place and gradually it dropped all its flowers. The plant doesn’t seem to be making any new buds. What’s wrong?

A: Contrary to popular belief, fuchsias will not bloom in full shade. They require strong, indirect light to set buds and bloom. Place your plant where it will receive morning sun or filtered sun all day. After the first flush of flowers, pinch back the flowering stems a little and feed with a balanced, acid-based fertilizer.