Cut back tender fuchsias
I keep my fuchsias indoors over winter in the wooden greenhouse, which is kept frost free but cool. I water them no more than once a month and they defoliate, stop flowering and have a rest.
But at the first sign of new shoots at the beginning of April I cut them back hard to encourage the new growth that will produce this year’s flowers. Fuchsias are very forgiving of clumsy pruning so you can be bold, although the overall aim is to remove any damaged or crossing branches and thin out any crowded growth before reducing everything by at least half – and more if the shape will allow it.
This can feel rather drastic, but with April’s light and heat and regular watering, some home-made feed and a fresh dressing of garden compost, your fuchsias will soon spring into growth.