Fuchsia Compendium

Fuchsia Compendium - C

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

CADS and Fuchsia News - Cads is an acronym of the initials of Carol Gubler, Arthur Phillips and Derek Luther. The idea of Fuchsia News which is a quarterly publication funded by the B.F.S. is to propagate a better relationship between the B.F.S. and the Affiliated Societies and between Affiliated Societies. Any article in Fuchsia News can be copied and used by any Affiliated Society in their newsletter as long as the source is acknowledge and the article is used in it's entirety. We welcome any article for inclusion so that knowledge of growing, showing and any other aspect of the fuchsia hobby can be shared. So far we are pleased with the way Fuchsia News has developed and many newsletter editors find it a life saver.

CALCIUM - essential for healthy meristems and root tips. It is an essential for the absorption of nitrogen. A decrease in leaf size, yellowing of leaf margins resulting in distortion. Not to be confused with cultivars that have naturally distorted leaves. could well be a calcium deficiency and a good source of replacement is magnesium carbonate, AKA Dolomite Lime. Acid peat and clay soils in high rainfall areas can be deficient in calcium.

CAPILLARY MATTING - a material that is used on greenhouse benches to transfer water to plants through the "drainage" holes in specially designed pots. Good but has to be replaced every couple of years because it tends to harbour diseases.

CAPSID BUG - A sap sucking insect which injects toxins into the plant causing distortion of leaves, flowers or stems. Small brown spots indicate where initial damage occurred.

CAPSIDS - friend and foe some cause blemishes on leaves and stems and others are predators of red spider mite. Also see Shield Bugs.

CARBON - from carbon dioxide absorbed by the leaves from the atmosphere to aid photosynthesis.

CARPEL - the female reproductive organ consisting of ovary, stigma and style.

CATERPILLAR - Common garden pest which are the larvae of moths or butterflies. It is mostly the Tortrix Moth caterpillar which is found on fuchsias. Look out for frass. That is the name for caterpillar droppings it is generally easier to spot this than the actual caterpillar. Pick them off and destroy but not those giants the Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar, just remove these and place on another plant like Busy Lizzies.

CHAFER - also known as May Bugs, June Bugs or Cockchafers. The larvae live for up to seven years in the soil eating plant roots. The adults feed on leaves and have been known to feed on fuchsias, especially those with soft leaves as on F. boliviana . The damage could be mistaken for that of caterpillars.

CHALCID WASP - a small parasitic wasp used to control white fly and caterpillars esp., cabbage whites.

CHEMICALS - Can different fertilisers, insecticides and fungicides be mixed together to save spraying twice? No, not unless the manufacturers labelling says so. Misuse can be injurious to the plant and less importantly to yourself. You can only feel indignant to the last part of that statement if you always read the label and follow the instructions.

CLAY POTS - advantages are: porous which helps to keep roots cool. Thick walls to insulate the roots from direct heat. Heavy, the pots do not topple over so easily. Disadvantages: Larger pots heavy to lift. Not easy to store or clean. Fragile. Expensive in caparison with plastic pots.

CLEANLINESS - your greenhouse, pots and tools should all be clean. Tidiness is also a virtue. Plants may be defoliated before putting away for winter, as the leaves harbour pests and diseases. Those that are grown on the biennial system should be sprayed to prevent pests and diseases with a suitable pesticide.

CLIMBING SLUG WORM - not a slug or a worm but looks similar to a Ladybird larvae, but half the size and a brown/grey colour. It is a pest on Laurels but sometimes in spring found on fuchsias growing in the garden, feeding on the young shoots at ground level with devastating consequences. Remedy by spraying with a suitable insecticide. In severe case the plants may have to be dug up and replaced due to the excessive damage.

COMPOST - Do not confuse potting compost with material from a compost heap as this is only suitable for mixing and mulching with the soil in the garden. There are many proprietary brands of compost to choose from including some with added pesticides. We generally by the one we can afford. Try to by the more expensive as they do seem to perform better. Do not turn your nose up at the new type of mixes as they just might suite your way of growing.

COMPOST HEAP - is an invaluable source of humus. Any plant material other than persistent weeds like Convolvulus can be added. If you have an excess of material like grass clippings add straw to the heap. A layer of grass followed by a layer of straw. Do not be too particular about knocking the soil from the roots of weeds and other plants as it aids the breakdown of the heap. Every now and then add some lime to counter the effect of an acidic build up which slows down and even stops the heap from decomposing. My favourite container is solid sided 4ft x 4ft x 4ft. Made from any material. Failing this a similar size hole in the ground as long as the site is well drained. Finally a piece of old carpet over the top to prevent heat loss. What is better than a Compost Heap? Answer: Two.

CONDENSATION - on glass and in some cases plants indicates a lack of ventilation. This can lead to problems with grey mould.

COPPER - a deficiency of this trace element can cause the premature dropping of leaves and flowers but is unusual in fuchsias.

COROLLA - the collective name for the petals.

CORTICIUM SOLANI - is associated with root failure in cuttings, and has been isolated from lesions on stems and petioles of plants in the Norfolk area. Pre., 1968.

CORYMB -  is a cluster of flowers in which the outer stalks or pedicels are longer than the inner ones.

COUNTRIES - in which the species are found: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Tahiti, Venezuela.

CROCKS - are pieces of broken clay pots put into the bottom of clay pots to assist drainage. Not necessary with plastic pots.

CRUCIFORM - the leaves are on alternate sides as in fuchsias.-

CUCUMCBER MOSAIC - has been reported on fuchsias in Middlesex pre., 1968.

CULTIVAR - a horticultural derived variety of plant, i.e. "Marinka", as distinguished from a natural variety, i.e. F.boliviana alba. Cultivar = [ cultivated + variety] See also Hybrid .

CUTTINGS - any piece of plant material severed from the stock plant for the purpose of vegetative propagation. Soft growth is used early spring to early summer and autumn. Hardwood cuttings can be taken through autumn into spring. In autumn ensure cuttings are drenched with a suitable fungicide to prevent Botrytis.

CUTTINGS COMPOST - use a soil-less compost for cuttings. They do not need to feed until they are well established. Grit, Perlite or Vermiculite can be added.