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    The Australian Fuchsia Society Inc.

                HELPFUL HINTS


FUCHSIAS   What to do this time of year (General information for the Adelaide Plains area)

Januaryin JANUARY
.  Give plants a light summer prune. Cutting back by one third reduces
   transpiration in heatwave conditions.
.  Check for rust in humid weather (remove infected leaves)
.  Place plants as near as possible to the ground to keep root systems cool
.  Check for pests eg. red spider
.  If leaves are yellowing or dropping may indicate a shortage of Nitrogen
.  Use both controlled-release and soluble fertilisers. For the latter, do not
   fertilise in very hot weather

Februaryin FEBRUARY
.  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater
.  Check baskets are free draining
.  Check for rust in humid weather (remove infected leaves)
.  Place plants as near as possible to the ground to keep root systems cool
.  Check for pests eg. red spider
.  If leaves are yellowing or dropping may indicate a shortage of Nitrogen
.  Use both controlled-release and soluble fertilisers. For the latter, do not
   fertilise in very hot weather
.  Remove spent blooms
.  Occasionally flush plants to remove salt build-up if using mains water

Marchin MARCH
.  Continue to check for pests eg. aphids and diseases
.  Rust could be a big problem. Remove and destroy all infected leaves
.  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater
.  Check your slow release fertiliser. It may need to be renewed especially
   if there is yellowing of the oldest leaves
.  Give weekly doses of liquid fertiliser

Aprilin APRIL
.  Remove spent blooms and seed pods
.  Keep the surface of the mix clear of dead leaves and other debris
.  Take cuttings for growing standard fuchsias
.  Continue checking for rust and aphids
.  Check watering

Mayin MAY
.  Raise your baskets a few inches/cms to receive more of the winter sun
.  Your plants should be out from under shadecloth (depending on weather)
.  Check cuttings taken in April for a good root system. If established
   enough then pot on to a larger pot
.  Check your pots, labels and secateurs ready for pruning next month

Junein JUNE
.  Pruning time (hard pruning)
.  Take cuttings for propagation
.  Root prune older baskets
.  Replenish potting mix
.  Incorporate a wetting agent
.  Plants will not require as much watering or feeding until re-growth starts
.  Ensure good ventilation around your plants
.  Check regularly for rust
Julyin JULY
.  Pruning time for those not already done
.  Take cutting for propagation
.  Root prune older baskets
.  Replenish potting mix
.  Incorporate a wetting agent
.  Plants will not require as much watering or feeding until re-growth starts
.  Ensure good ventilation around your plants
.  Check regularly for rust

Augustin AUGUST
.  Place plants in a light sunny position if possible during winter
.  Be aware of frost and take necessary precautions
.  Remove weeds as soon as they appear
.  Be very diligent checking plants for rust and any other diseases. Isolate
   any infected plants and remove all leaves
.  Enjoy your winter flowering fuchsias
.  Do not let plants dry out but keep them moist
.  Pinch out tips (including new buds) to shape plant
.  Add slow release fertiliser

Septemberin SEPTEMBER
.  Continue pinching
.  Cuttings could be ready to pot up to 125mm containers
.  Take care when handling cuttings so as not to bruise them
.  Use good quality potting soil
.  Make sure labels are inserted securely in pots
.  Check for rust

Octoberin OCTOBER
.  Pot up those cuttings not done in September
.  Continue pinching plants (not show plants)
.  Fertilise with soluble high potassium fertiliser to encourage flowers
.  Check for pests eg. thrips, aphids and caterpillars
.  If weather remains cool try to keep your plants in the open
.  Don't forget to check that plants are kept moist

Novemberin NOVEMBER
.  Check for pests eg. thrips, aphids and caterpillars
.  Check under pots for caterpillars
.  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater
.  Remove dead or dying blooms
.  Remove leaves and debris from top of pots
.  Weekly application of liquid/soluble fertiliser

Decemberin DECEMBER
.  Enjoy your beautiful flowering fuchsias
.  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater
.  Weekly application of liquid/soluble fertiliser but do NOT fertilise in very
   hot weather
.  Include granular fertilisers
.  Mulch plants and add wetting agent if not done
.  Check baskets are free draining
Potting, Pruning & Pinching

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The Fuchsia FLOWER
Diagram of a FUCHSIA FLOWER