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You have been given correct information, as long as you are within the growing zone of the plant. I would leave the little clones alone for now, and keep them indoors until next spring. This article will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fuchsia/growing-fuchsia-flower.htm

This article will guide you on the proper care of cuttings: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fuchsia/propagating-fuchsias.htm

You can make a cutting from the soft, new growth of your Fuchsia plant anytime during spring or summer, or you can make a cutting from the older, woody stems in the fall. The former is probably easier to root.

The most likely cause is a pest problem or possibly a disease, but there are other possibilities. Here are two articles that might help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fuchsia/wilting-fuchsia-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fuchsia/diseases-in-fuchsia-plants.htm

Fuchsia are edible, just not very tasty!

You can check to see if it is still alive... Bend the tips of the growth. If they break off, or are brittle, then they are dead. Keep going down until you find a living portion. If there is not green, or it is all brittle, then it is likely dead.

That, actually, looks like the remains from aphids! These can be controlled very easily. Neem oil is one easy way to do so, but there are many, many others as well. This collection of articles will give you more information on how to make your own insecticides, along with much more useful information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/