NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTS

FUCHSIA SOCIETY

September 2016 NEWSLETTER

The weather seems so unpredictable at the moment. We have had the hottest day in September for many a year whilst some places have suffered severe flash flooding, it’s no wonder the plants are confused! Anyway, I am beginning to prepare for winter in as much as tidying the fuchsias; ensuring that I clear away all debris and am starting to defoliate as well. Some, I have even cut back. I still find time to admire the flowers though and making a mental note which ones I rather like and hope to persevere with next year. Unfortunately, some have not even flowered yet! They all seem to be at different stages, especially some that I have acquired for the 1^st time this year, I am yet to see their flowers! 

I am pleased that the cuttings I have taken earlier on in the season are looking strong. The next challenge is to successfully overwinter them! 

Bonsai Fuchsias – I am getting more and more interested in Bonsai Fuchsias and have started on many more this year. I was lucky enough to go to Derby Fuchsia Society’s September monthly meeting and listened intently to their speaker who was talking about Bonsais (Bonsais in general not just Bonsai Fuchsia growing!) I found this very interesting and learnt a few more technical terms to do with Bonsai Fuchsia growing:

I also made a visit to Greenwood Bonsai Studios, off the A614 Doncaster Road, on the 10^th September as they were holding an Open day. I was able to learn more about Bonsai techniques and watched the expert at work! He made it look very easy! If you are interested in Bonsais, it is really worth a visit. 

UPDATES ON MY VEGETABLE GROWING 2016 

Curly Kale – these germinated, but unfortunately the slugs and snails got to the young plants before I had chance to protect them! Grrr….

Beetroot – these are growing quite nicely, I need to pull one up to see how big (if at all!) the actual beetroot is!

Oriental Vegetables – I was quite excited when these started shooting. Bob had looked on the internet and found some very interesting recipes. I thought I was doing alright, there were flowers…but that is where it has stopped – no sign of any vegetables – disappointing!

Potatoes – I grew 5 seed potatoes (variety = Amber). I have had a fairly ok crop, although Bob wasn’t too fussed with the taste especially once we found out that they were salad potatoes and NOT roast potatoes!

Tomatoes – I had been given quite a few plants from a friend, unknown varieties and whilst, there seems to be quite a good crop on each plant, they are taking a long time to ripen.　

UPDATES ON MY PLANT/SEED GROWING 2016

Sweet Peas – unsuccessful!

Sweet Honesty – I am pleased to say that I raised around a dozen plants and these have been planted in the garden. I am hoping for them to come up next year and flower.

Astrantia – Luckily I have managed to pot on 6 plants and subsequently I have also planted these in the garden they have flowered this year and fingers crossed, will come back next year.　

SOCIAL MEAL – 6^th October – The Clock Warehouse, Shardlow – 7.00p.m for 7.30p.m

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NEWSLETTER

If anyone wants any item included in the Newsletter, please let me know, either at a meeting, or phone me on Tel: 0115 8758928, or email: jayne.daykin@ntlworld.com I will gladly include any article or event in the Newsletter.

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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 .

Colin is looking for the following Bob Pacey cultivars. If anyone can provide him with a plant or cutting, he’d be most grateful:

If anyone has Bobs Choice or Bobs Best, I’d also be very grateful!

**If anyone is searching for a specific cultivar, let me know, and I can include it under this section in the newsletter.**

FEEDBACK– I’d like to have your views on ‘What went well’ and ideas on ‘What we could do to improve our show’. Please post your suggestions in the black shoebox provided. Thanks