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      NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTS

FUCHSIA SOCIETY

 

FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER

 

I am still struggling to get motivated in the garden.  Although I now work in a Garden Centre and spend a lot of time looking at plants and gadgets and wishing I was in the garden, when it comes to my days off, I just don’t seem to be able to spend that much time in the garden.  Hopefully as the weather warms up, this will change.  I was, however, pleased to see my snowdrops out and buds showing on my forsythia.  There are definite signs that Spring is just round the corner.

 

Last year, I did well with my planters and I hope to do just as well this year.  I also have an abundance of seeds, (my husband would say too many seeds!) and I intend to do more with them this year.  Yes, I know, I really need to start planning and sowing now!

 

There seems to be some very useful articles in January’s Fuchsia News (as usual!)

 

Fuchsia Pests:


One of the most destructive pests attacking fuchsias are vine weevil larvae. The adult vine weevil lays its eggs in the soil at the top around the crown of the fuchsia; I have been told that this happens in late August - early September. The eggs then hatch and the larvae spend their time munching through the roots of our favourite plant. The first we usually notice is when the fuchsia starts to look a little sickly and is wobbly in the pot. When it gets to this stage it is usually too late to save the plant, However, if it is spotted before all of the root has gone, and if all of the old compost and larvae is removed with the larvae being disposed of, (I find squashing them between thumb and fore finger is effective and satisfying) then the fuchsia can be planted back into the smallest pot possible in new compost, it might well survive.


I find the best way of reducing the vine weevil problem is to remove all of the old compost in the autumn paying special attention to the area around the crown of the plant and re potting in fresh compost in the smallest pot that will accommodate the plant. If my information is correct then hopefully I have solved my problem by removing the old compost which then removes perhaps the eggs and any immature larvae that may have been there.


The other method of safeguarding my fuchsias against this insidious pest is to maintain a regular spraying with systemic insecticide as a preventative measure (this is good practice to combat all fuchsia pests). Alternatively use an insecticide drench specific to vine weevil. When using insecticides always read the instructions supplied with them and follow them carefully. Remember these products must be used with great care.

 

Fuchsia Rust

 

Rust is a very disfiguring disease that affects the foliage of the fuchsia, it is very contagious and disfigures the plant but does not directly kill it, although if not controlled will leave a very sick plant.


Rust is a fungal disease that manifests itself by first appearing on the underside of the leaves as orange coloured corpuscles and if left untreated it will eventually “eat” through the leaf and appear on the upper surface of the leaf as brown markings. The corpuscles spread very easily and if you disturb the leaf you will see a little orange shower as they disperse finding their way onto leaves of other plants.


If you should find your fuchsias are infected with this disease then they can be treated with fungicide, I prefer using a systemic fungicide, as when it is used the plant takes it up and it acts as a further deterrent to the disease. The fungicide can be sprayed directly on to the infected areas but I would recommend spraying the entire plant starting with the infected area. A point to remember, when spraying any fuchsia that has open blooms with any chemical, or even water the moisture will badly damage the blooms in most cases.


When handling infected plants, always wash your hands before handling other plants as the disease can be spread from your hands, if using any tools on infected plants always sterilize them before using them again to prevent spreading the disease in that way.  If you find infected plants that you cannot immediately treat, move the infected plant away from other fuchsias and place it out of a draught because fuchsia rust is wind borne.


Finally, when using fungicides always read the directions on the packet and follow them totally as fungicide like all chemicals are hazardous and should be treated with great respect.

 

Thanks Arthur – Late summer and autumn of 2014 were particularly bad for rust – the warm and damp weather really made it a real nuisance.

FUTURE EVENTS IN 2015

 

As in previous years, we are planning to hold various plant sale events as well as some promotional events.  Dates already confirmed are as follows:

 

Plant Sales

 

Friday 15 May

 

Wollaton Park Community Centre – 10.00a.m – 1.00p.m

Sunday 17 May

 

Beechdale Pub – 10.00a.m – 2.00p.m

Sunday 7 June

 

Autokarna, Wollaton Park – ALL DAY

 

We are also enquiring about an annual event which is held at Woodthorpe Hall, which may be worth trying this year.  As soon as we have more information, we’ll let you know. As usual, we will hope to see you at these events and if you can support us by manning the stalls, please let one of us know.

 

Promotional Events

 

Moores Nurseries – To be confirmed, Provisionally looking at 23 May or 24 May

 

Reuben Shaws – To be confirmed – not date proposed as yet

 

 

WILDLIFE IN THE GARDEN

 

If you don’t know, I am a huge fan of wildlife, especially in the garden.  I buy plants which will encourage bees and insects into the garden.  I plant shrubs which have berries to attract the birds and good bee-friendly plants, with single flowers in preference to double.  I also have a pond to encourage the frogs and dragonflies and am blessed with large clumps of frogspawn.

 

It is for this reason, that I will include excerpts from The Bedside Book of the Garden by Dr D G Hessayon on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’: -

 

BATS

Bats are mysterious creatures, flitting over the garden at dusk and swooping to pick up moths and other insects on the wing.  They are also frightening creatures to some people, but they need not be.  All the European species are insect-eaters and will certainly not attack man or animals. Nor will they fly into your hair – their radar is far too effective to allow them to do such a clumsy thing.

There are 14 different species of bats in Britain but only a few inhabit gardens.  The one you are most likely to see is the smallest of all – the pipistrelle.  It is about 5 cm long with a 20 cm wingspan.  Its flight is fast and jerky and it emits squeaking sounds. The serotine is sometimes seen – a larger but slower-moving bat.  Quickest of all the garden bats is the golden-brown noctule.  All of them should be made welcome, for each one devours thousands of flying insects each night.

 

How can I get rid of bats? – You really mustn’t think about killing bats if they frighten you or if they are roosting in your house.  All species are protected and it is an offence to kill, injure or harm one.

 

Where do Bats Live? – During the day bats cling to an object in a dark place and hang upside-down. The roosting place which is chosen depends on the species and the sort of living quarters available.  The pipistrelle favours the loft of a house, a barn or an ivy-covered hollow tree; other bats like church steeples.

 

What do Bats eat? – Tropical bats have a varied diet. They Eat fruit and fish, and the vampire bat of S. America really does lap up the blood of the animal it has attacked.  Our small bats are much gentler creatures - their diet consists of moths and beetles which they catch in flight, although they occasionally swoop down to pick up an insect moving on the ground or resting on a leaf.

 

How do Bats fly at night without bumping into things? – Some bats have good eyesight and so the expression ‘as blind as a bat’ is not strictly true. However, they use a ‘radar’ system and not their eyes for navigation purposes.  A high-pitched noise is emitted 50 times a second and the strength of the echo bouncing back from nearby objects guides them in their flight.  They avoid static objects with unerring skill and they can detect and catch flying insects with amazing accuracy.

 

Excerpt from January 2015 Fuchsia News: -

 

Top Ten 2014

 

2013                                                                                         2014

1    Shelford                                                                              Border Raider

2.   Lynne Patricia                                                                      Lynne Patricia

3.   Alison Patricia                                                                     London 2000

4.   London 2000                                                                       Alison Patricia

5.   Lillian Annetts                                                                      Lillian Annetts

6.   Wigan Peer                                                                         Lyndon

7.   Ernie                                                                                   Brookwood Belle

8    Brookwood Belle                                                                 June Marie Shaw

9.   Ashville                                                                               Pink Fantasia

10. Sophie Louise                                                                     Ernie

           

Last year we had the surprise return of Shelford – 2014 was not such a good year for that old favourite – however Border Raider had lots of top prizes, perhaps the weather suited it!  Lynne Patricia, a double, has become a firm favourite with exhibitors around the country. The surprise entry was Lyndon a seedling from Bill Wye from Chelmsford which was introduced in 2013 – it is a pink and lilac single with an abundance of flowers! One to look out for I think! The various show winning cultivars were up slightly on 2013 – I am certain that as ever the weather is the determining factor on what happens – timing of fuchsias for the show bench is more difficult some years than others!  Looking at the copious lists of fuchsias it was notable that one prefix is more popular than most and this is Our…I had seven on the list! 

 

The 3 ½” pot classes produced the usual collection of small flowered fuchsias. Angela King was the winner in 2014 for the first time. The others in the top 5 were –Sophie Louise, Border Raider, Ernie and June Marie Shaw. Just outside the top five were Wendy Bendy and Chris Bright. All in all quite a few changes this year - time will tell if the old favorites return! Just over 140 different cultivars were show in these classes.  In view the changes next year to most schedules with the rise of metric pots I will be including 4” pots as well.

 

In the baskets and hanging pots, there were few changes with Sylvia Barker followed by Waveney Gem and after a gap there were Putt’s Folly, Janice Ann and Time After Time. Last year I commented that I would be on the lookout for Time After Time my thanks to everyone that gave me some cuttings! The number of different cultivars was slightly up again this year and did contain a few surprises including Celia Smedley which I imagine was quite a challenge. I also asked for the results from the Encliandra class – I ended up with a list of 32 different ones and there was a runaway winner Marles de Keiyzer (not that anyone can agree on the spelling!) followed by Laura Cross and Snowflake.

 

Finally my thanks to all the Show managers and their volunteers that compile the results on such a busy day – I couldn’t keep this project going for so many years without you!

 

‘Toads may not be the prettiest creatures, but they are a great help in the garden as they love to munch on slugs.’              

            Isabel Carlson, A Miscellany of Garden Wisdom

 

‘If you want to live and thrive, let the spider run alive’   American Quaker saying

 

‘Life is hard for insects. And don’t think mice are having any fun either’.              

                                                                                                                                                   Woody Allen

 

As we will get our free cuttings this month, it seems quite appropriate that I include this following guide to help you succeed in getting your free cutting onto the show bench: -

 

Taken from January 2015 Fuchsia News.  This is a basic guide as to help you prepare your plants for show day.  I am sure there are similar adaptations already in circulation: - 

 

 

Saturday

Wks

To Go

Activity

Pinch

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Jan

31

Prepare or buy fresh plants.

 

 

10 Jan

30

 

 

 

17 Jan

29

Mist dormant plants and clean pots and equipment ready for new season.

 

 

24 Jan

28

 

 

 

31 Jan

27

 

 

 

7 Feb

26

If buds are visible, start pruning.

 

 

14 Feb

25

Over-wintered plants can be potted back.

Species

 

21 Feb

24

Pinch out doubles and semi-doubles.

Doubles

 

28 Feb

23

Start nitrogen feed to all (¼ strength all feeds).

 

 

7 Mar

22

Pinch out singles.

Singles

 

14 Mar

21

 

Triphyllas

 

21 Mar

20

 

 

 

28 Mar

19

 

 

 

4 Apr

18

Pinch out species (final pinch).

Species

(final pinch)

 

11 Apr

17

Pinch out 1st or 2nd pair of leaves on doubles and semi-doubles to shape (penultimate pinch).

Doubles

 

18 Apr

16

 

 

 

25 Apr

15

Pinch out every growing point on singles to shape (penultimate pinch).

Singles

 

2 May

14

Pinch out every growing point on triphyllas (final pinch).

Triphyllas

(final pinch)

 

9 May

13

 

 

 

16 May

12

 

 

 

23 May

11

Pinch out every growing point on doubles and semi-doubles (final pinch).

Doubles

(final pinch)

 

30 May

10

 

 

 

6 Jun

9

Pinch out every growing point on singles (final pinch).

Singles

(final pinch)

 

13 Jun

8

 

 

 

20 Jun

7

Start double and semi-doubles on high potash feed.

 

 

27 Jun

6

Start singles on high potash feed.

 

 

4 Jul

5

 

 

 

11 Jul

4

 

 

 

18 Jul

3

Check schedule

 

 

25 Jul

2

 

 

 

1 Aug

1

Get entry into Show organiser

 

 

 

8 Aug

 

0

 

SHOW DAY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   

FUNDRAISING

 

The easiest way for all internet users to help raise funds for our Society is simply by every time you search the Web you use easysearch. Easysearch combines results from Yahoo!, Windows MSN Live Search and Ask.com in one simple search, the address is http://nottsfuchsia.easysearch.org.uk  Please try it and encourage others too. Don’t forget if you make any purchases on the internet, to go through our webshop to make sure we receive commission from the retailers (currently over 2000 well known retailers), the address is http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/nottsfuchsia .

      

 

 

28 March

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society SPRING Show - held at the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton.  10.00a.m to 4.00p.m.  ADMISSION FREE

1 April

Joint Nottingham & Derby Fuchsia Society Meeting – held at the Grange Hall, Mickleover, Derby.  Kristopher Harper will be speaking on James LyeCultivars.  NOT TO BE MISSED!

28 April

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Malcolm Beerman – FUCHSIAS.

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

1 - 3 May

Cardiff Flower Show

 

7 – 10 May

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

 

19 – 23 May

Chelsea Flower Show

 

26 May

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Eddie Munro -  FUCHSIAS

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

11 – 14 June

BBC Gardeners’ World Live

 

23 June

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Eddie Munro – PELARGONIUMS

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

30 June – 5 July

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

 

11 July

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society SUMMER Show - held at the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton.  10.00a.m to 4.00p.m.  ADMISSION FREE

28 July

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Arthur Phillips – SHOW TALK

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

22 – 26 July

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

 

8 – 9 August

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Show – ANNUAL SHOW at Attenborough Village Hall, Attenborough.

25 August

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Fred Hunderhay – FUCHSIAS

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

12 – 13 September

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society AUTUMN Show - held at the Coronation Hall, Toton, 2.00p.m to 5.00p.m on the Saturday and 10.0am to 3.45pm Sunday.

ADMISSION FREE

22 September

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Tony Taylor – ORCHIDS

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

27 October

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Geoff Smith –OVERWINTERING FUCHSIAS

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

24 November

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – AGM and Christmas Buffet

Meeting starts at 7.30p.m

 

 

Remember our next meeting

Will be

Tuesday 24th March 2015

And our speaker

is

Sheila Over

Talking on

Cottage Gardens