Fuchsia Compendium

Fuchsia Compendium - L

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

LABELLING - manufacturers go to great lengths to put all the required information on their products. Please read their instructions carefully. They spend a lot of time and money on testing and their advice on how to use their product. It is done so that you can get the best results. Do not add or dilute unless stated. Do not mix and store, spray after mixing as soon as possible. For most products to be really affective the temperature needs to be around 60 F 16 C.

LABELS - those pieces of plastic the grandchildren collect thinking that they are being helpful. If you do not know the name of your cultivar write as much information as you can; i.e. Upright red and purple double. Nothing worse than putting ‘Checkerboard’ in your hanging basket.

LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS - in the language of flowers fuchsia means; taste and amiability. Very similar to the fuchsia growers saying; Fuchsia Folk are Fighting/Friendly Folk.

LATERAL GROWTH - side shoots or stems growing out from the main stem

LEACH OUT - the action of water carrying away nutrients from the roots so depriving the plant of food.

LEADER - the leader is the terminal extension shoot of the main stem.

LEAF AXIL - the angle between the upper leafstalk and the stem.

LEAF DISCOLOURATION - can be due to one or two causes, drop in temperature which is the most likely or a fungal disease. One variety that is very prone to leaves turning purple is ‘Marinka’. Keep this one well away from the greenhouse door so that it is not affected by those cold spring draughts. If plants are caught by a frost the leaves turn to a silvery, bronze or brown, leaves drop and are replaced with new as long as it was not a severe frost.

LEAF DROP - caused by a sudden drop in temperature or insect attack such as red spider mite. Too much or too little water and also the excessive use of fertilisers can be other causes.

LEAF HOPPERS - serious attacks of this pest produce a characteristic zigzag mottling of the leaves. Prevention is better than cure.

LEAFCUTTER BEES - similar to honey bees but are solitary in their actions. They take crescent shaped pieces from the leaves of roses, lilacs, fuchsias and other ornamentals. More of an irritation than a pest. They use the pieces of leaves to make small cigar shaped capsules in which to store pollen and nectar. They lay a single egg and then cap the cell with a circular piece of leaf. These "cigars" up to twenty at a time are often found in the compost of plant pots that have not been watered very often, also hollow plant stems and in the soil. I have found them in a piece of garden hose and in the outlet of a pond fountain (wondered why it would not work) and every year one bee uses the screw hole on the outside door stop of my patio doors. This gives me a grand stand view of the bees activities.(DJL)

LEAVES - on fuchsias there are eight basic shapes cordate,: elliptic, entire, lanceolate, ovate, serrate, serrulate and wavy. The tips of the leaves can be rounded, obtuse or acute. The bases of the leaves can be acute, cordate, obtuse or rounded. All needed to be known if registering a new cultivar.

LEGGY describes the stems of plants that have not received enough light.

LIGHT - essential for growing plants otherwise they become leggy.

LEWIS MANNING - a hospice in Poole over looking the harbour where B.P.F.S. have planted a hardies bed. The bed was prepared by volunteers from the Princes Trust and the plants were provided and planted by members of the Bournemouth and Poole Fuchsia Society. We are grateful to Eco Compost for supplying the mulch for this bed.

LORE - many of us collect Fuchsia Lore, which can be an interesting part of the fuchsia hobby. Under the umbrella of the B.F.S. a new group has been formed called the Fuchsia Lore Club, if you are interested contact Peter Holloway, 85, Rutland Crescent, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 0NX Membership £3 per family or household per annum for existing members of the British Fuchsia Society and £5 for overseas members. These members should not necessarily be members of the B.F.S. but should be members of their own society. Fuchsia Lore Club is now up and running.