Fuchsia Compendium

Fuchsia Compendium - M

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

MAGGOT/GRUB - a maggot is the larvae of certain flies, has no legs and no defined head, whereas a grub has legs and a brown head. See Sciarid (maggot) Vine Weevil (grub). When eating an apple what is worse than finding a maggot? Answer. Half a maggot.

MAGNESIUM - an essential element required by plants for the manufacture of chlorophyll. A deficiency can be caused by over use of potassium and shows as a yellowing between the leaf veins of the older leaves followed by browning and falling prematurely. A deficiency is generally only found in soils over fed with potassium or on light acidic sandy soils. Also see Epsom salts.

MALE/FEMALE - some fuchsias such as F. paniculata have separate male and female flowers.

MANGANESE - is a constituent of some enzymes which govern the production of proteins in plants. Deficiency symptoms develop rather quickly. Leaves  originally on the cutting at the time of planting retain their normal colour, but newly formed leaves develop a uniform light chlorosis, a light limy green shade with no veined pattern. This deficiency generally occurs when the pH level is too low. Badly drained soil over chalk and ground that has prolonged cultivation and organic manuring. Remedy manganese sulphate and raise pH level using ground chalk.

MAXICROP - is a seaweed based fertiliser much used by fuchsia growers. Used as a foliar feed as well as a normal feed to the roots. Useful in spring sprayed over the hard wood to help soften the and encourage the latent buds to develop. I believe it is a good aid for keeping whitefly populations down. I do not know how this works, but perhaps it prevents the adult whitefly attaching her eggs to the leaves. Have you any theories? (IMHO-DJL)

MEASUREMENTS - always check all your measurements e.g. pot and stem sizes. Refer to your show schedule or Exhibitors Handbook.

MEALY BUG – These are sap sucking insects akin to Scale Insects but are distinguished by being coated with flaky white wax excretion. Found more commonly on Cacti.

MICROPHYLLA - just means small leaves.

MILDEW - rarely found on fuchsias but manifests it’s self as a white film on leaves and buds. Spray with a suitable fungicide. Also see Powdery Mildew

MIST SPRAYING -it is useful in the spring to mist spray your plants to encourage the leaf buds to swell and grow. If maxicrop is added to the water I believe it leads to better breaks and also plays some part in keeping whitefly at bay. DJL . It is also a good thing to spray your plants through the season right up until the flower buds show colour.

MOLLUSCICIDES - used to control slugs and snails.

MOLYBDENUM - a trace element.

MOSS PEAT - mainly decomposed sphagnum moss used mainly in soilless compost mixes. Not really suitable as a mulch as it breaks down quickly.
MOTHBALLS - advocated by some as a deterrent when hung in the greenhouse to all those flying pests. It sounds to me as if it is some type of nefarious gathering of insects, that perform some sort of ritual by moonlight.

MULCH - very beneficial to fuchsias planted in the garden. Hardy fuchsias need a good two inches of mulch in the form of garden compost or similar to keep the ground moist and protect the roots from the sun.

MULTIPLANT - more than one plant can be grown in a pot and also be used for showing, but please check your show schedule carefully.

MUSHROOM FLIES - see Sciarid Flies

MUTATION- see Sports.