Fuchsia Compendium

Fuchsia Compendium - E

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

EARWIGS - occasionally are a problem by eating the petals and are easily trapped using corrugated cardboard or straw in a flower pot.

ECO PRODUCTS - There are nine different composts available ECO Mix. Mulch, Super Soil, Multi-purpose, Bag, Ericaceous Soil, Top Dressing, Tree and Shrub, and Chip.

1. When planting any shrub including fuchsias use Eco Mix 1:1 with the excavated soil to retain moisture and encourage root growth. The typical analysis of Eco Mix is: Nitrogen 0.9% N 16mg/L. Phosphorous as (P205) 0.2% P 16 mg/L. Potassium as K20 K745 mg/L. Magnesium 0.8% 50 mg/L. Electrical Conductivity 479 U’s/cm. pH value Approx. 8.
2. Eco Tree & Shrub is similar to Eco Mix but has added nutrients and a pH level of Approx. 6.5. If you are thinking of planting acid loving plants like Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Heathers Eco Ericaceous Soil is what you require.
3. After the plant have established themselves use Eco Mulch. This will deter slugs, retain moisture, suppress weeds, improve the fertility and enhances the look of the bed whilst taking none of the goodness out of the soil. For further information ring 01202 593601 or write Eco Composts, Chapel Lane, Parley, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BG.
4. On our sandy soils I can recommend using Eco mix as a top dressing on lawns in conjunction with Growmore once a month to top up the N P K requirements. IMHO-DJL.

EMASCULATE - the removal of anthers from the flower before the pollen is shed. This prevents self pollination and is used by plant breeders to stop self fertilisation. Emasculation is also carried out by wasps in their hurry to get at the nectar.

ENCLIANDRA - a type of fuchsia with small flowers and leaves, also called Breviflora. These are becoming very popular and are very useful if you like training your fuchsias into spirals rings or any other fancy shape.

EPIPHYTIC - a plant that is attached to another but drawing no nourishment from it. Fuchsias F. tunariensis, F. garleppiana, F. hirsuta, F. tuberosa, and F. salicifolia are examples.

EPSOM SALTS - used to correct a magnesium deficiency at the rate of half ounce per two gallons of water.

ESPALIER - a system of training a fuchsia by allowing the plant to grow up unchecked and the side shoots trained horizontally on either side, in a single plane.

ETIOLATED - over lengthened shoots caused by insufficient light combined with warmth. Generally occurs on over wintered fuchsias. Just remove all these shoots and they will soon be replaced by new.

EXHIBITORS - your title when you decide to put a plant on the show bench.

A few hints for exhibitors :

1. Take particular note of the date and times; the last day by which you have to submit your entries and the earliest and latest times your are allowed to stage the plants.
2. Make sure that your entry form is filled out clearly so that the show secretary is fully aware of your intentions.
3. Avoid making too many entries at the start. It might surprise you how long it takes to set them up. Allow ample time for staging.
4. Whatever the decision of the judge might be just accept defeat GRACEFULLY.
5. If you cannot see why you have not done so well as you would have thought just have a look at your exhibit and the others in opposition and try to work out why they have succeeded, and as to where yours has failed.
6. Not as schedule, NAS indicates that your exhibit has not conformed to the class or schedule. If the show stewards have been doing there job this should rarely occur, as they should check that all the exhibits conform before judging starts. Hopefully the judge will have qualified his judgement with a card indicating why it has been disqualified

EXHIBITS - show plants, the plant that you hope will win and the public will admire.

EXHIBITING - it is the best way of advertising fuchsias and Fuchsia Societies. No other plant can out shine a fuchsia for it’s long flowering period and the diversity of ways it can be shaped and grown. What other plant could stand the abuse that we dish out to our show plants? If you haven’t a local Fuchsia Society where you can exhibit your plants there are many ‘ Garden Clubs’ which have classes for fuchsias. Do not forget to check the rules of their schedules as most garden clubs adopt the RHS show rules.

EXPERIMENT. Never be afraid to experiment in all forms of fuchsia growing, also with growing from seeds.