Fuchsia Compendium

Fuchsia Compendium - B

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

B. F. S. - British Fuchsia Society.

BACTERIAL LEAF SPOT - this is a condition that occurs in the spring. Brown spots appear on the upper side of the leaves. This is caused by the combination of three things supplying the right conditions, high nitrogen feed, low light levels and the plants being too close together. Alter one of these and the problem rectifies it's self.

BACTERICIDES - to control bacterial diseases.

BALL - a way of growing and training a fuchsia. One or more plants should be trained into a spherical shape around the pot and when fully grown should completely obscure it. Stakes used for training must be removed. The branch system must not be evident from any angle.

BASKETS - plant baskets in early Spring with cuttings from 3½ inch pots. Any number of plants can be used and it is permissible to use more than one variety unless the show schedule specifically forbids it. It is more difficult to train a uniform basket and get the differing varieties into full flower at the same time.

BEES - friend and foe. Honey bees are no real problem but bumble bees in their search for pollen and nectar damage the petals causing brown marks to form, which is unsightly especially on white flowered types. Also see Leaf Cutting Bee.

BERRIES - fuchsia berries are edible and can be made into jellies and wine. The berry is divided into four segments each segment having it's own cache of seed.

BFS HARDIES LIST 2002 - See the Fushsia Lists section.

BIENNIAL - This is a system of growing fuchsias for show over a two year period. Cuttings are taken from mid to late summer, pinching them out at every pair of leaves during the first year and not allowing them to flower. In the second year they are pinched out at every two pairs of leaves. You have to over winter them at a minimum temperature of 6 C.

BINOMINAL NOMENCLATURE - The method of naming plants and animals scientifically. Mostly in Latin. The name is in two parts (binominal): one part the specific name and the other part the generic name. The generic name is written first with a capital letter; i.e. Fuchsia and the specific name second usually with lower case letters; i.e. magellanica. Where a sub species or variant has been defined, a trinominal system is used; i.e. gracilis, so the full name of this fuchsia would be written: Fuchsia magellanica gracilis.

BLEEDING - Exudation of plant sap from the cut end of the stem, leaf or root. This is only a problem on fuchsias when the stems are cut back and the sap flows down the stem creating a nice site for Botrytis and Sooty Moulds.

BLOOD, FISH AND BONE - a suitable general fertiliser to be used when planting directly into the ground. It provides nitrogen and phosphorous to encourage leaf and root growth.

BLOOMS - flowers, inflorescence. With out their showy blooms fuchsias would not be our favourite plant. Fuchsias are divided into groups according to their flower. Single, semi double, double. Triphyllas and brevifloras are also in separate groups but also have extra criteria to conform to.

BLOSSOM DROP - is often caused by too dry an atmosphere and under watering. Remedy by spraying under the plants to raise the humidity.

BLUE STICKY CARDS - these are for trapping thrips.

BONEMEAL - contains large quantities of phosphate which encourages root growth.

BONSAI - Japanese method of pruning and growing dwarf trees which is now becoming a popular way of growing fuchsias.

BORON - a trace element, a deficiency is generally only found in sandy soils and as it is required in minor amounts a balanced fertiliser with trace elements is all that is required.

BOTRYTIS cinerea - manifests its self by blackening stem that on close inspection reveals fine hairs. Prevalent in the Winter and early Spring. Spray with a fungicide. Increase ventilation and pay attention to hygiene by removing dead or dying foliage, try to reduce humidity.

BRACKEN - a useful substance for using as a winter mulch to protect fuchsias through the winter. Can also be used for insulation when over wintering fuchsias in pots. But beware: Old Wives tale. She said that there was nothing better than digging in chopped green bracken under a fuchsia before it is planted as this will encourage the roots to go down. Putting bracken on the surface will only encourage the roots to go up to satisfy the fuchsia's passion for it.

BREAK - is a branch or shoot forming as the result of removing the tip from a shoot.

BUD DROP - caused by drought or a sudden change of temperature.

BUSH/SHRUB - the two are often confused. A shrub is a woody plant with numerous stems coming from near the ground. A bush is a small shrub. A fuchsia grown as a bush for show must be grown on a single stem of not more than one and a half inches from soil level to first break A shrub for show purposes can be more than one plant and have many shoots emanating from below soil level. Both must be symmetrical and in proportion.

BUSHEL - A dry measure of capacity equal to eight gallons.

BOOKS - See the B&PFS book list page