FUCHSIAS TO SUIT EVERYONE

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 11

FUCHSIAS TO SUIT EVERYONE

Although fuchsias do not last long enough to be suitable for picking, they do provide a magnificent display in the garden, glasshouse or as a pot plant indoors. More and more colours and bloom sizes are becoming available, so there should be one for everyone. The adaptability of fuchsias further enhances them, and with correct training and attention they can be grown to conform to almost any standard. Success with fuchsias is very much dependent on correct conditions and placing them in draughty positions is a common cause of failure. Good drainage but a moisture-retentive soil is also necessary, and although they, are regarded as predominantly shade-loving plants, dark places are not good for them. Filtered sunlight, such as that obtained from beneath moderately leafy trees, is ideal. A standard fuschsia is simply a normal bush variety trained on a long stem. It is best to select the stronger, more upright varieties for this purpose. “Flying Cloud,” “Titanic” and “Santa Cruz” are some named varieties of such habit. Cuttings Cuttings are an excellent way of propagating fuchsias. If these are taken in autumn there is the advantage of a longer growing season. Soft wood cuttings, also, can be taken and .they have given excellent results. Once rooted, the cuttings should be potted up singly and potted up again once they have filled the first pot with roots. This can be checked by knocking the plant out of the pot and looking at the extent of root cover of the soil ball around them. After the second repotting, in a container of at least 15cm, a Im-1.75m stake should be inserted into the rooting medium. The strongest upright shoot should then be selected and tied to the stake with a suitable pliable tie. All other shoots should be removed.

Side growths

With the subsequent development of the retained

shoot all other side growths should be continually pinched out while the main stem is tied to the support. When the desired height has been reached the plant should be allowed to grow another 15cm, and then the terminal bud should be pinched out. . This will encourage development of side shoots and when these are about 10cm long their tips should also be nipped off. This will further induce side shooting and strong, bushy growth. Most of the growing season wiil be absorbed in producing a standard, and it will be autumn before flowering can be expected. Shelter needed

In warm sunny areas fuchsia standards can be left outside in the winter, but generally it is best to put them inside a glasshouse or shed. While they must never be allowed to dry out, very little water will be necessary during the winter. In spring all side shoots should be pruned hard back to within a centimetre or so of their base. This will induce fresh growth and avoid the formation of an unmanageable tangle of old and new growth.

An interesting alternative to training a fuchsia as a standard is to plant one in the top of a partially hollowed out ponga. The "cavity thus created could be filled with good well-rooted compost, thoroughly watered and allowed to settle before planting. Regular watering is imperative for this to succeed.