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KF's Desert Island Fuchsias
It is hardly likely that I would ever be in the position of being
marooned on an island, but if it ever came to pass I would pray that it might be one with
a reasonably temperate climate. I am not one to go silly and get my skin cooked at the
first sight of the sun it is not a pretty sight and it certainly does no good- Now back to
my island - perhaps a few trees, some deciduous to provide a little humus and fibre on an
island which is of volcanic origin, and a plentiful supply of water (unmetered!). Of
course, with trees one must have a bird population plus, of course, insects to keep them
happy. It so happens that I was travelling with few possessions but I did have I0 of my
favourite fuchsias along. These, without doubt would help to keep me sane and give me the
will to survive, as well as reminding me of home and some of the people I have been
fortunate enough to have known.
Here are some of those cultivars I have treasured over the years:
- Cheers (D; lax Bu; Coral Pink) - this cultivar was used to create my first
hybrid. A real beauty in its own right.
- Ruby Wedding (D; Tr, Ruby and Orangy Red) - the first cultivar, as a hybridist.
that I had any success with. One that appears to, be getting quite popular. I am pleased
to say.
- Devonshire Dumpling (D; Tr, White and Neyron Rose) - unfortunately, not an easy
one to grow being prone to botrytis, but with luck it will produce a real show stopper.
- Checkerboard (S; Bu., Red and White) - grown by nearly everyone at sometime.
first given to me the year I joined the society by a member I new as "Spud". I
never knew his real name. "Spud" was always cheerful although terribly crippled
with arthritis, a reminder of how lucky most of us really are.
- Celia Smedley (S; Bu; Neyron Rose and Vivid Red) - a plant given to my wife by
Joyce Styles, another of our old members. A cultivar that always creates attention a
single but such a beauty,
- Margaret Davidson (???) - a cultivar I came across a few years ago, it is like a
large Mieke Meursing. A second year plant will spread almost four feet across, and will
flower all summer. A cracker!
- Joyce Forward (S; Bu.Pink and Scarlet)- the first sport I ever came across. It
was on a plant of Coachrnan. Quite difficult to grow, but the blooms are large and most
striking. A good single.
- Emma Alice ( D., Bu or Ba., Magenta and Violet/Dark Violet) - named after my
grand daughter. Both give me a great deal of pleasure.
- Swingtime (D., Tr. Red and White) - like a tot of other Fuchsia growers one of my
first. It takes a lot of beating.
- Spice of Life (D; Bu; Magenta/Dark Rose and Purple) - one of my last raisings, so
named because that is what the growing of Fuchsias means to me.
This is my choice; there are many more I would have liked to have with me but this was
as many as Customs would allow.
KF (Member)
First published in the 1998 Year Book
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