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So, as I've been poorly on and off and my fuchsias have done very well this year through positive neglect! I find this wonderful as I know fuchsias won't let me down, growing and giving me plenty of colour, even if I'm not well enough to tend to them quite as much as I should.
I joined the group a year ago now and I've been made to feel like I've been part of the group for years, and so much help and advice from everyone is wonderful.
This year I have been given enough encouragement to enter into next year's annual show. As I know that taking part in it will be great. I know that even if I don't get placed I will learn where I went wrong and try again the next time.
So I hope I've not bored you and maybe someone else will put pen to paper soon.
It's true what they say - Fuchsia Folk are Friendly Folk!
I hope that everyone had a Happy Christmas and here's to a Happy & Healthy New Year.
ELEANOR GABRIEL
Fuchsias and Pelargoniums
by Judi Harris of the Coventry Fuchsia & Geranium Society
Do you have green fingers or do you need luck to grow fuchsias and pelargoniums, or is it magic?
None of these - just common sense and a few ground rules.
Everyone's aim should be to grow for show - and I don't mean the show bench - remember your garden is your show! Everyone makes mistakes at first, and the most common ones are:
Buying plants from the wrong place. Supermarkets and chainstores are the place to buy groceries, clothes, etc., not plants. They will have been 'on the shelf' for a long time, handled by many people (sometimes not very gently), probably watered when they are half dead. They are usually in full flower when they reach the store and pot bound so will not continue to grow.
Buying too many varieties at one time. A mistake all fuchsia/pelargonium fanatics make. You become addicted to the ever increasing number of varieties. Be wise - limit yourself to a few and learn about them before you buy any new ones. Every fuchsia and pelargonium is different and has different needs.
Buying cheap plants from boot sales, some mail order firms or market stalls. You will get what you pay for! If you buy from a reputable fuchsia or pelargonium specialist by mail order, the plants will be good, but it is better to visit the nursery if possible. They will sell you good healthy plants because they want you to return.
Listen to the 'Experts'. Try their methods but if you find a way of growing that suits you, stick to it, especially if you get good results. You can adapt your way by adding ideas that you can get from listening and reading.
You, like all of us, will make mistakes as a fuchsias/pelargonium grower but the art is not to make the same mistake twice!
Long Running Societies
The British Columbia Fuchsia & Begonia Society (Canada) is this year celebrating its 40th Birthday. Congratulations to all of those fuchsia enthusiasts in BC who have kept this society going strong over the years. When Nancy and I went to visit in March this year, there were over fifty people at the meeting.
To celebrate this happy occasion, they are staging an International Fuchsia Convention. There will be guest speakers from around the world. We do hope that world affairs will not spoil the event.
If you want more information on what is happening you can look it up on the internet, go to bcfuchsiasociety.com
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