- 1). Look at the stems on your fuchsia to determine the ones that you need to pinch. Examine the plant for side shoots that have a growing tip. The ideal stems are the ones that are growing longer than the others. There should be at least two pairs of leaves on that stem. Pinching is recommended in spring and may continue until the early part of summer.
- 2). Pinch fuchsia by using your index finger and your thumb. Use your index finger to keep the stem in place, while using your thumb nail to pinch out the soft tip from the side shoot.
- 3). Continue to pinch the fuchsia until all the appropriate stems are pinched. You will eventually see two new leaves grow in the space where you pinched out the soft shoots.