"Bonsai is a living art form which possesses all the essential elements of composition, balance, perspective, texture and colour. A Bonsai Fuchsia should resemble nature in miniature." reads the opening line of the Fuchsia Bonsai Section of the BFS Exhibitors, Judges and Stewards Rule Book and Guidelines.
A Fuchsia Bonsai class for 'a bonsai exhibit in a bonsai style container' has been added to our 2001 show schedule, in response to requests from some of our members who, in keeping with the national trend, are getting increasingly interested in this form of growing. Anyone having seen the splendid display at the Harrogate Show or other major  Horticultural Shows will have been amazed of the beauty of the exhibits, which usually include some fuchsias too.
Some plant lovers look upon bonsai growing as 'tormenting' plants, growing them totally unnatural in ridiculously inadequate containers. (But doesn't that apply to all container grown plants?!) Others see it as a fascinating challenge to adapt and develop growing techniques to produce 'a living work of art'.
To find out more about the techniques involved you ought to read one of the specialist books, readily available at book shops or your local library. To assist you we have reproduced the BFS guidelines and a few diagrams of various shapes. More can be seen in the handbook, available at our bookstall during our monthly meetings.
Locally there is also a Bonsai Society that meets on the third Tuesday of the month at Hunmanby Community Centre on Stonegate at Hunmanby. Meetings start at 7.30 and last for about 1½-2 hours. Cost £1 per session.
See also Jay Spiegel's and David Edmond's and advice on pages 22 and 28.
One associates bonsai growing with mature plants, developed by dedicated training over several years, involving a complexity of regular branch and root pruning, and it will undoubtedly take a few years before this class will fulfil its potential. However we are hopeful the class will be well supported this first year too, as some members are already experimenting with bonsai plants and others might have a go by way of the short cut method. This involves normal grown older plants, some already showing signs of bonsai type odd shaped growth, being transformed into instant bonsai plants by way of ingenious pruning and further training. It will be very interesting to see what will turn up!
It is most important to select a suitable cultivar. It should have small foliage, small flowers and be short jointed and strong. Only strong cultivars will be able to withstand to rigid growing conditions and pruning, and the other criteria will ensure you'll end up with an exhibit in good proportion.
As well as the usual problem pest and diseases that can plague fuchsias, when growing bonsai you should be extremely careful to avoid botrytis and splitting.

JUDGING GUIDELINES   1 The exhibit must be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
2 Exhibits are not to be picked up by the judge. They are viewed as the exhibitor has presented them and viewed from the front only.
3 It should have the feeling of depth and look to be bowing to you without the branch tips pointing directly towards you.
4 The trunk and main branches should be visible. There should be an openness such that a small bird could be imagined flying through it.
5 When judging Fuchsia Bonsai normal judging criteria is used, but it is secondary to Fuchsia Bonsai criteria.

POINTS OF APPRAISAL  Flowers will be appraised on their general state of freshness. It must be remembered that flowers on exhibits in this section may be generally smaller than normal. The flower should not overwhelm the exhibit either in size or quantity. The number of flowers open should be in proportion to the size of the exhibit.
Foliage: Leaves will be appraised for their health and cleanliness. Foliage that is damaged, showing signs of ageing or wilting detracts from perfection, but in general the foliage will be smaller than normal. The size of the foliage must be in proportion to the exhibit.
Cultural Proficiency: Exhibits in this section should conform to a bonsai shape, with evidence of training to achieve the desired form. There should be clear signs of health and vigour, the branches should have good healthy foliage. In this section it must be considered that bonsai do not require an abundance of flower. There should be evidence of buds to complement the open flower. There should be no evidence of pests or diseases. Any bonsai wiring must he unobtrusive.
Presentation: The container should be clean, undamaged and of Bonsai style. The exhibit should be free from all weeds and debris with natural looking compost surface. Moss is permitted but should not extend up the trunk. Figurines are allowed but must be in proportion to the exhibit. Exposed roots and roots over rocks are desirable but not required, however they must not circle or cross each other. The whole exhibit should be presented at its best to attract attention.
Points System: Overall appearance 50pts, Trunk & Roots 15pts, Branches 15pts, Foliage & Flowers 15pts, Container 5pts.