The British Fuchsia Society

THE BRITISH FUCHSIA SOCIETY

WELCOME TO THE BRITISH FUCHSIA SOCIETY.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING PLEASE VISIT OUR MEMBERSHIP PAGE

The summer show offer is now open
New members joing from now until the end of October 2025 will have their membership continue until 31/10/2026

The weather this year has been challenging! First, February, March and early April were very dull and rather cold. Then from mid-April the weather warmed up and we have had more like summer temperatures throughout May and the first half of June. . The first two weeks of June have been very warm and the last few days have seen some record temperatures with very warm air coming up from the continent. As I write this it has now cooled again and rained, but there is the likelihood of more hot air coming up from the continent. I hope all your fuchsias are surviving and growing well. Hardy fuchsias in the garden despite their delayed start are now coming into flower. We are hoping currently that seven of the BFS national shows will go ahead in 2025. The show schedules can be downloaded from the members pages. The 2025 “show offer” on membership is now open and any new member joining from now to the end of October 2025 will have their membership continue to until 31st October 2026. You can join via our membership page using the online form and PayPal or download a membership form and send to the Secretary with a cheque. The Summer Bulletin is going to be posted out on Monday 30th May. The committee will spend part of the meeting at Fairfield this coming Saturday packing the bulletins into the envelopes. I hope all your fuchsias are growing well. Remember in this very hot weather plants in pots may dry out more quickly and need extra waterings. Do check however that the plant root ball is dry before watering. If the plants is wilting and the compost is still wet move the plant into a cool shady area and see if it will recover. .

TOP TEN SHOW VARIETIES (2024)

Compiled by Carol Gubler

(1) Lyndon
(2) Colin Dorrington
(3) Anne Reid
(4) London 2000
(5) Lillian Annetts
(6) Shatzie B
(7) Nell B
(8) Ginny B
(9) Mrs Diane Parrott
(10) Margaret Viscountess Thurso

GROWING TIPS (SUMMER)

<Greenhouse

Remove any old or yellowing leaves and treat any pests or disease as soon as seen. Whitefly can be a difficult problem in the summer if they become established.
Ensure the greenhouse has suitable shading and good ventilation. Some growers remove some glass from the apex ends of the greenhouse and cover with netting.
Turn plants through 90° every few days.
Keep an eye out for any pests and treat as soon as seen. Remove any yellowing or fallen leaves promptly.
A regular spray of the plants with SB Plant Invigorator will also help to discourage Whitefly, Red Spider Mite and Aphids.
Damp down the greenhouse floor and benches to keep up the humidity in the greenhouse. This will also discourage red spider mite.
Preferably water your plants in the early morning, not when the greenhouse is in full sun in the middle of the day. Any plants which flag despite not being dry, do not give them more water, but move them to a cool shady place.
" It is generally too hot in June, July and August to take good cuttings. Wait until the late summer and early autumn to take them.

Outside

Garden hardy fuchsias should now be coming into flower. Keep any beds hoed through to keep down weeds. A second application of granular balanced fertiliser can also be hoed in in June. Established hardy fuchsias should not need any watering except in an exceptionally long dry spell. Newly planted hardy fuchsias should be given a good soak weekly until established
Any decorative pots, planters, baskets etc should be kept watered and fed regularly. Remove any dead flowers or forming berries (seedpods) to ensure that the fuchsias will continue to flower.
Any tall structures e.g. standards which are growing outside, ensure they are well supported to prevent them blowing over and being damaged.
Most plants grown for show, should have had their finals stops except for the September shows. These will be made towards the end of June and early July. As a rough guide 60 days for singles, 65 to 70 days for semi-doubles and 70 to 75 days for doubles. However, some cultivars will behave differently needing shorter or longer times, so you need to get to know the varieties you are growing
Keep a close eye on outside plants for any signs of growing tips being infected with fuchsia gall mite, especially after strong winds. If any tips are found to be infected, cut them back thee nodes below the damage and spray the plant with a pyrethroid based insecticide
Most Important! Continue to enjoy your fuchsias