GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS
CARE AND MAINTENANCE NOTES

FUCHSIA

AT A GLANCE:

Position: Sheltered, filtered or morning sun (avoid hot winds) Height: I metre* Width: 1.5 metres* *Depends on variety and growing conditions.

HISTORY: These lovely shrubs originate from the rain- forests of South America. (Do remember that fuchsias grow naturally in mountainous areas of high humidity).

SELECTION: Remembering that a cool situation is necessary, consider whether you need a tall or trailing variety and whether or not to combine them with other plants. Choose upright varieties for low or general garden beds, perhaps a standard to mix in with other plants and trailing varieties for that raised embankment. Try to let the hanging blooms be seen to their best advantage. Some of the beautiful variegated types such as Crimson Bedder can make excellent ground covers.

WHEN TO PLANT: Any time from August to April but do be careful on very hot days.

WHERE TO PLANT: Ideally fuchsias grow best in an easterly aspect,where they would receive a few hours of direct morning sun. Alternatively semi-shade, in good filtered sun is adequate. They dislike hot, scorching or dry positions, however, be sure not to plant them in excessive shade where they may grow lanky and flower poorly.

PLANTING :After purchasing your plant, don't let the roots dry out and be sure to give it a good soaking the day before you intend to plant. This will ensure that the soil does not fall away from the roots at planting time. Dig a hole twice as deep and 1.5 times as wide as the size of the container in a well drained position. Blend GREENGOLD PLANTING COMPOST or BIOGROW with the soil (3 parts of compost with 1 part of soil) and plant carefully into the hole.

When you are planting a Fuchsia do not plant any deeper than the soil level of the previous container.

If planted too deep the stem can rot and it will die. Tease roots gently below and around the plant then press into the new soil (excluding all air pockets) water in well and keep moist, so that it can establish itself in its new position. Particular attention should be given to watering during the first few months and through summer while the plant is becom ing established. GREENGOLD PLANT STARTER is perfect to use at planting time to encourage a great start to life and healthy roots. N.B. Do not dig into the clay line in heavy soils as you may cause a problem. Build up the soil level instead.

FEEDING As fuchsias grow and flower over most of the summer months it is best to provide fertiliser at this time. GREENGOLD ALL PURPOSE PLANT FOOD, or GRO PLUS Plant Food is best applied in early spring and again in summer (at pruning is also ideal), where the fuchsias are plant out in the ground. For better results liquid fertiliser can be applied at regular intervals too.

Where fuchsias are planted in pots, granular fertilizer should not be used, but a combination of slow release DEBCO GREENJACKET or NUTRICOTE and fast soluble fertilizer such as Thrive or Aquasol, will produce good results.

WATERING :Regular watering is vital to performance. In summer, plants must be kept moist at all times. Watch containerised fuchsias carefully, they may need daily or twice daily watering in summer. You may let plants dry a little in their dormancy during mid-winter - but do not allow your fuchsias to grow in conditions that become dry or are exposed to strong winds. If plants wilt in the heat you may find that spraying the foliage with water will help them lift.

MULCHING Mulch is recommended to aid water retention. A layer of mulch should be spread over the soil when planting and in spring as an aid in keeping the roots cool during the hot weather. Keep this a few centimetres from the trunk to prevent any problems with collar rot.

PRUNING :Fuchsias will only flower on new wood, and in order to achieve this situation it is essential to prune all plants quite severely each year. Late July to August, when the chance of frost is over, is the best time to prune. In the coastal districts of New South Wales pruning can be done as early as May. You should reduce the plant by at least two-thirds to get rid of all the previous season's flower-producing wood as well as any old, ragged, dead or twiggy stems. As a general guide, cut back to approximately two nodes from the main structure, taking care not to go into the main stem. Prune back quite severely on all sides to produce stubby well-rounded plants, with a good network of branch structure facing out- wards in a circular profile. At least that's the ideal for baskets and standards. Some bush plants grown against a wall or fence may need structural pruning in the most aesthetically desirable direction rather than a circular profile. During the growing period your plants make rapid lateral growth. To keep a neat compact form it is necessary to 'pinch out' or 'tip control' the laterals. By removing the growing tip on each lateral, these growths will develop side- ways and so shape the plant. You might curtail your early flowers, but by the latter part of summer and certainly in autumn you will be rewarded with a wonderful display.

PESTS : There are invariably a few pests to watch out for. If your fuchsia is suffering from an attack by some insect, take a sample to your local GREENGOLD GARDEN CENTRE for expert advice on how to control or eradicate the pest. This is better than the trial and error, expensive method of buying and trying various insecticides which may or may not be suitable.

DISEASES : A yellow/orange rust type fungus causes purple-red blotches on upper leaf surfaces. Prompt removal of the first-affected leaves may solve the problem. If spraying is necessary use Zineb according to the directions.

Do ask for advice from you nearest GREENGOLD GARDEN CENTRE, when your plants are attacked by pests or diseases. Always try to take a sample for identification.

VARIETIES: In terms of colour, fuchsias flower in an infinite number of combinations, sizes and forms. Some are single with just one circle of petals in the corolla, others are doubles with many sets of ruffled petals. There are hundreds of named varieties available and your GREENGOLD GARDEN CENTRE is sure to have a great selection.

OTHER USES

1. Fuchsias are such versatile plants and the foliage is also appealing. Grow them in hanging baskets, pots or window boxes. Grow them in the garden as standards or as bushes - or espalier them against a wall or fence.

2. Hanging baskets are an extremely popular style for courtyards, patios, balconies and unit gardens where space is at a premium. Baskets also have the additional advantage of allowing plants to be moved from site to site according to the seasons and prevailing weather conditions. Firstly, consult your local GREENGOLD GARDEN CENTRE staff to ascertain the varieties best suited to basket culture and which are hardy in your area. You can use bark, Yates Woolrich, or sphagnum moss to line your basket. DEBCO TERRACOTTA AND TUB MIX is an ideal potting mediumto backfill about half way up the container and then set your plant firmly on this. Settle the plant in gently teasing the roots and then pack to within 3-4cm from the top with soil. Water thoroughly, attach a name tag, secure the hanging chains and hang your basket on a sunny, frost-free balcony preferably with an easterly aspect.

If you do not use a potting mix already containing water storage granules it is a good idea to add these to the mixture around the root area of your fuchsia.

3. Taller growing varieties are ideal for training as standards. You need to choose a plant with a strong main stem and one which is known to make vigorous growth. You need to prune all the side shoots away and tie the stem to a stake which is as high as you are aiming for your plant to grow. When your plant has reached the desired height, pinch out the top and thus force the side shoots to develop immediately below the top of the stem. The emerging side shoots should be regularly pinched back to create a bushy crown of foliage. Once this crown has formed a good umbrella network of the required size, no more pinching need be done and you can allow the plant to flower freely. The result can in many ways be even more outstanding if you choose a trailing variety and train it in this fashion so you will end up with an umbrella shaped plant dripping with gorgeous blooms.

4. Pot culture is probably the most common way of displaying your fuchsias. In much the same way as a hanging basket they can be transported to and fro as you wish. As long as attention is paid to watering and feeding on a regular basis the potted fuchsia will provide wonderful value. There is always a spot for a pretty fuchsia in any garden.