Fuchsia Compendium - A

ABSCISSION LAYER - is at the base of the leaf stalk at which the cells become separated before leaf fall.

ACARICIDE - natural or man made chemical which is used as a pesticide to kill mites.

ADVENTICIOUS - roots or shoots arising from an unexpected place. Shoots may appear from stems or from below soil level rather than the leaf axils. Similarly roots can develop from stems.

AEROSOL - Method of dispersing herbicides, fungicides and insecticides from a pressurised can. Read instructions as spraying distance and amount of wetting can be critical.

AFS - American fuchsia Society who are responsible for the registration of all fuchsias.

AIR - in the greenhouse is very important - open doors and vents when weather is good. Even when the heating is on, a small opening is beneficial.

ALGAE - a primitive plant with a liking for damp places. Found growing on trees walls and soil. Can clog the surface of compost in plant pots. Jeyes Fluid is good for it's removal, but not on tarmac.

ALLOGAMY - cross fertilisation.

ANDROECIUM - collective name for the stamens of the flower.

ANTHER - the pollen bearing part of the stamen.

ANTS - not a direct threat to plants but move aphids to better sites so that their visits to milk them of 'honeydew' is more profitable. A suitable bait for ants is one part Borax to two parts icing sugar.

ARMILLATOX - this product can be used to combat Vine Weevil eggs.

APETALOUS - flowers that do not bear petals as on F. procumbens.

APHIDS - a plant sap sucking insect which may transfer diseases from one plant to another. They exude honeydew which encourages sooty moulds to grow on the upper surfaces of the leaves.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING - the equipment required is not cheap and as towards growing fuchsias I am not sure that it is of any great value except to the commercial growers. Before you invest research this topic. IMHO DJL

ATTENTION - do not neglect your plants, even in winter. Check for pests and Botrytis at all times.

AXIL - the internal angle formed between the leaf stem and the stem of the plant.