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Summer 2026
As I write this we are about to encounter the hottest spell of June weather ever in the UK with red warning being issued. You will need to keep fuchsia in smaller pots in as much shade as possible. Water them early in the morning or at then end of the day. Try to keep the roots cool by double potting and keeping the pots out of direct sun. If a plant starts to flag and is the compost already wet, do not add more water, but just move the plant to a shaded area and hope it will recover.
We are hoping currently that seven of the BFS national shows will go ahead in 2026. The show schedules can be downloaded from the members pages.
The 2026 Show Offer on membership is now open and any new member joining from now to the end of October 2026 will have their membership continue to until 31st October 2027. 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 currently at the printers and we hope it will be posted out 0n posted out on Tuesday 30th May.
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. .
Compiled by Carol Gubler
(1) Mrs D Parrott
(2) Anne Reid
(3) Colin Dorrington
(4) Toby S
(5) Nottingham Jubilee
(6) Lillian Annetts
(7) Elma
(8) Dying Embers
(9) Lyndon
(10) Lynne Patricia
<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.
- 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