NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTS

FUCHSIA SOCIETY 

 

What is happening in the Garden Centre: 

Small bedding plants/plugs are now appearing in the Garden Centre, tempting people to buy early and start potting up their hanging baskets.  It’s a great idea if you have somewhere to overwinter them, away from the frosts!

 

What is happening in the Garden: 

• Fruit & Vegetables

I’ve started sowing seeds, not many vegetables as yet though.  However, I’ve sown some pea shoots for the first time, which are coming up, so quite excited about them. I also have some Virginia Stock, Cerinthe, Linaria and Nasturtium. 

• Perennials/Garden Shrubs etc

The few sunny days we’ve had have really made a difference to the garden.  Tulips are coming up and replacing the daffodils and the blossom of the forsythia is past its best.  I have noticed the new growth on the apple tree, which has suddenly come to life! Also, new shoots on the Acers are emerging. Erm... I definitely need to mow the lawn! 

• Fuchsia Growing

My free cuttings are now out in the greenhouse hardening off along with others I bought from Jacksons.  My bonsai fuchsias are doing really well and are looking very promising, although unfortunately a couple have suffered following the past 2 days of sunshine! – I’m not sure they will recover! 

My standards which I overwintered are all showing signs of new growth, so will be shaping them, hoping to put at least one onto the show bench. 

I keep checking my smaller pot fuchsias to see if there is any life, as some are taking their time producing new shoots, but their stems are green so I know they are still alive.  I’m just too eager! 

• Wildlife/Pondlife

We have frog-spawn again this year and the frogs are getting wise, the frogspawn is amongst the marginals making it more difficult for the fish to get at it!  I’ve spotted one or two tadpoles today which is really good news! I’m regularly feeding the fish now, but I still need to sort out the pump.  

My plan to dig out the yucca has been put on hold as Bob saw the robin fly into the yucca with some bedding, so I am loathed to disturb at this time of year.

 

Geoff Smith provided us with a lot of information last month on growing Triphyllas and here are a few Hints & Tips and Observations I found useful’: - 

• Triphyllas are the easiest fuchsias to kill!
• Keep the plants at 40^oC
• A lot of triphyllas have German names as they were introduced by German Hybridisers – Gartenmeister Heimstadt.

 

How to propagate: - 

• Take off bottom leaves, leave a long stem
• Plant in 50/50 Peat sand mix
• Plant cuttings around edge of plant pot
• Use bottom heat to propagate
• Takes 10 days to root
• They like a lot of sunshine but don’t give a high nitrogen feed
• Final pinch should be 12/13 weeks before show day.
• Major pests = Thrips – regularly spray with Bug clear 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional points to consider when GROWING FUCHSIAS FOR SHOW (taken from the Exhibitors, Judges & Stewards Rule Book & Guidelines):-

 

BASKETS & HANGING POTS

 

 

What the judge will be looking out for in particular: -

 

Flowers – state of freshness; damage; premature opened buds

Foliage – exhibits should be covered with an abundance of clean, healthy leaves – damaged; ageing or wilting leaves detracts from perfection.

Cultural Proficiency – a bush should display a uniformity of growth. The single stem must be clear and distinct. Clear signs of health and vigour and even distribution of flower. Also there should be evidence of buds to compliment the open flower. No signs of pests or diseases.  Ties and supports should be minimal, neat and unobtrusive. Interconnection supports constitute a framework which is not allowed.

 

It should be borne in mind that some trailing or lax cultivars flower only at the ends of the branches, which is typical of the cultivar being displayed and this should not be considered a cultural fault. However, plant growth should still fill the centre and top of the basket.

 

Presentation – exhibits should be presented to show their best qualities with flowers in full view.  All seed pods should be removed and nectar and pollen cleaned from leaves.  Compost surface must be free from debris.  Pots should be clean and undamaged. Fresh compost may be used for top dressing.

 

POINTS SYSTEM:

 

Flower	30	Foliage	30
Cultural Proficiency	30	Presentation	10

 

 

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COMMENT: I have a lovely planter on my patio, it really will look at its best in August.

 

RESPONSE: We have an Open class for that!

 

As long as it has at least ONE FUCHSIA in the container, it can be put in Class 29: 1 Patio Container, must contain at least one fuchsia.

 

COMMENT: I’ve never exhibited before, I’m new to the society, but I have a fuchsia that looks in decent shape, with buds hopefully it will flower in August.

 

RESPONSE: We have an Open class for that!

 

This could probably go in Class 1: Beginners Class – 1 Fuchsia Pot, any cultivar.  Make sure you have one of our schedules; speak to one of our stewards to ensure the plant meets certain criteria.  Better still, come along to our Beginner’s class on 17^th May 2018.

 

There is no limit to the number of exhibits per class at our show, so you can always enter more or divide them between the Beginners & Novice class (Class 2)

COMMENT: I was given 2 free cuttings at our February meeting.  I’m not really sure what to do with them.

 

RESPONSE: We have a Member’s class for that!

 

Yes, we give our members 2 x free cuttings at the February meeting, one named and one unnamed.  We encourage members to grow on their free cutting to show standard, adhering to all the helpful advice given at our meetings.  At our show in August, we can then showcase the plant which we have nurtured for just 6 months.  The name of the cultivar is then released on SHOW DAY.

 

COMMENT: I’d really like to put something on the show bench – does it have to be a fuchsia?

 

RESPONSE: We have 7 Open classes for that!

 

We have 7 ‘Miscellaneous’ classes in our Open class section, for Pelargoniums, Begonias, Coleus etc.  The more the merrier!

 

COMMENT: I have a fuchsia that fell and some branches have broken off.  It only looks good looking at it from one angle now!

 

RESPONSE: We have a Members class for that!

 

Class 46: I Pot – to be viewed from the Front.  Yes this class is also ideal for plants that perhaps haven’t got as many flowers on one side as the other.

 

COMMENT: I’d really let to take part in the show, but my plants are just not good enough this year.

 

RESPONSE: We have an Open class for that!

 

If you have plenty of flowers but you are worried that the plants themselves are not show quality then why not enter

 

Class 18: 6 Flowers in six distinct cultivars, single.

or

Class 19: 6 Flowers in six distinct cultivars, double,

 

Find six flowers that are clean; free from damage, disease or pests and have the correct number of petals.  Flowers must be fully open; all floral parts except the anthers, should be free of pollen.

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

Also, if anyone would rather I send them an electronic copy, please let me know. 

Remember: It is YOUR newsletter.

 

 

 

24th April	Monthly Meeting: Sid Garcia talking on Fuchsias
5th & 6th May	Moores Nursery: - Promotional event, speaking to the public, promoting our societyand Annual show – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
12th May	Coffee Morning/Day – from 1.00p.m to 4.00p.m volunteers needed to help man stall, but also welcome everyone to come and visit – Other stalls and refreshments available.
17th May	Beginners Class: held at Wollaton Park Community Centre at 7.00p.m – 9.00pm.
22nd May	Monthly Meeting: Dave Staines talking on Begonias
3rd June	Autokarna: - Plant sale – opportunity to talk to the public and promote our society and show  - 9.00a.m start, to help set up gazebo.
10th June	Cossall Open Gardens – celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year. Again, volunteers needed but it would be great to see you there, gardens to see and plants to buy!
26th June	Monthly Meeting: Rod Young talking on Bonsai
14th 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
11th & 12th Aug	Nottingham & Notts 46th Annual Show – at Attenborough Village Hall, Attenborough Lane, Attenborough, Nottingham (sat nav NG9 6AB). Open to the Public: Saturday: 1.30p.m – 5.00p.m. Sunday: 9.00a.m – 4.00p.m.  ADMISSION £1.00
18th Aug	Derby & District Fuchsia & Gardening Club Annual Show  - at Swarkestone Nursery, Lowes Lane, off Barrow Lane, (A5132), SWARKESTONE, Derby, DE73 7GQ. Open to the Public – 12.30p.m – 5.00p.m.  ADMISSION FREE
19th Aug	BFS Midland Show – at Palmers Garden Centre, Lutterworth Road, Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire, LE17 5DR. Open to the public from 12.00p.m – 4.00p.m. ADMISSION FREE

 

 

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