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NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTS

FUCHSIA SOCIETY

MARCH 2016 NEWSLETTER

I have been able to spend a whole day in the garden today and wasn’t it needed! I didn’t realize how neglected the garden had become. I continued pulling out the garlic bulbs which were still there in abundance! I also had to weed as well because there were plenty of perennial weeds to pull out. I also started to tackle the ivy that I have growing everywhere. It was an indoor plant originally and silly me, I thought I’d chance it outside! Well it certainly likes the conditions outside that’s for sure! I have eradicated it from around my hardy Fuchsia Magellanica and started to hack away at the ivy around my two pots of Photinia Red Robin. Unfortunately the trunks are so thick; I’m going to need a saw. A job for me to do another time. I also dug up my Mahonia which (as well as the ivy!) was growing in between my Fuchsia Magellanica. I have potted some of these up in the hope they will take as I would like to plant a Mahonia somewhere more suitable in the garden. I have also tugged away at my Kerria Japonica which has shot out roots all over. Again I have potted some up in my attempt to contain this spreading bush.

Finally, I have managed to mulch one border and it definitely looks better for it! However, still plenty to do. I produced a list of tasks that I wanted to do in the garden today, unfortunately, I only fully completed one!

FIND THAT FUCHSIA!

Following on from last month’s meeting, someone asked what they should do if they wanted a specific fuchsia. I was aware of a website so thought it best to share with everyone: - 

www.fuchsiafinder.com

I have also put together a spreadsheet of a number of specialist nurseries to help you find that special fuchsia!

(You will find the spreadsheet at the back of the newsletter – or as a separate attachment if reading on email)

NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTS FUCHSIA SOCIETY

Please note that we now have our own website, so please make a point of visiting it and let us know if you have any ideas on how we may improve it.

www.nottinghamandnottsfuchsiasociety.org

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Sow a Seed or Plant a Plant for Your Society

This year we intend to hold 3 plant sales in the hope of not only boosting our funds but also to promote our society. Please note the following dates: -

Plant Sales

Friday 13th May

Wollaton Park Community Centre – 10.00a.m – 1.00p.m

Sunday 26th May

The Manor Pub & Restaurant, Toton – 12.00p.m – 4.00p.m

Sunday 5th June

Autokarna, Wollaton Park – ALL DAY

If you are able to donate plants for the society to sell at any of these venues, we’d be most grateful. Please bring them to the monthly meeting prior to the sale. Thank you.

Promotional Events

Cossall Open Gardens

5th June - hands on demonstrations and distribution of flyers

Moores Nurseries

To be confirmed

Reuben Shaws

To be confirmed

We are hoping to organise a trip to the Leicester Botanic Gardens followed by a visit to Palmers Garden Centre, Ullesthorpe.

A Trip to University of Leicester Botanic Garden

Founded in 1921 with the assistance of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, the University of Leicester Botanic Garden was established on its present site in Oadby in 1947. It comprises the grounds of four houses: Beaumont, Southmeade, The Knoll and Hastings, which were built early last century and are now used as student residences.

The four once-separate gardens have been merged into a single entity, whose 16 acres of lovingly cultivated grounds and greenhouses, display a wide variety of features and environments. The formal planting centres around a restored Edwardian garden.

Other planting includes an arboretum, a herb garden, woodland and herbaceous borders, rock gardens, a water garden, special collections of Skimmia, Aubrieta, and hardy Fuchsia, and a series of glasshouses displaying temperate and tropical plants, alpines and succulents.

The plant collections and landscape features make this garden one of the most diverse in the region. The water features and sculptures are particularly pleasing and add character to the setting. It is the perfect place for a pleasant walk and there are benches for those who simply wish to relax and admire the surroundings. Variety is the key to this garden's strength.

We are planning to visit on the 3rd July which will coincide with a Plant Sale and Family day. There will be stalls, Entertainment and Representatives from Specialist Nurseries as well as Refreshments.

Followed by a visit to Palmers Garden Centre, Ullesthorpe

A leisurely visit to a popular Garden Centre, with many varieties of plants for sale as well as a cafe. Other outlets which you may find of interest include: Court Antiques; PB Fruit & Veg; Cotton Traders; Brentano’s; All Weather Windows & Conservatories; Granite Transformations; Omega Kitchen; Soft Tubs Midlands; UK Garden Buildings.

DATE: 3rd July COST: £15 (estimated) which includes Coach Fare and Entry to Leicester Botanic Gardens

If you are interested please can you put your name down on the list. We need to find out whether it is popular enough to run a trip. Many Thanks

BEGINNERS CORNER

Hopefully, you were all able to attend our first Beginners class and have gone away and put all the ideas and suggestions into practice.

  • Remove debris from resting plants. 
  • Do not let root balls dry out completely but water sparingly. 
  • In heated greenhouses spray fuchsias with fungicides to reduce fungal attacks. 
  • Wash greenhouse glass to obtain the maximum light available indoors. 
  • Handle the plants regularly as this is the best way to learn about their individual needs. 
  • Water more frequently and start to feed with half-strength balanced fertilizer. 
  • Prune back to actively growing shoots. 
  • Ventilate greenhouses on sunny days. 
  • Pot-on young plants: pot-back old ones. 
  • Nip to shape. 
  • Feed and water regularly now. 
  • Pay attention to cleanliness inside and outside the greenhouse. 
  • Cuttings should be available now and will root readily. 
  • Take care not to let fuchsias become too leggy and large. 
  • If you are buying-in fuchsias, watch them carefully for any signs of pests and diseases. 

Please find below a snip-it from the Show schedule which was in last month’s newsletter. Hopefully these are what you should already be doing as well as what you should be doing next month:

5th Mar

23

Start nitrogen feed to all (¼ strength all feeds).

 

12th Mar

22

Pinch out singles.

Singles

19th Mar

21

 

Triphyllas

26th Mar

20

   

2nd Apr

19

   

9th Apr

18

Pinch out species (final pinch).

Species

(final pinch)

16th Apr

17

Pinch out 1st or 2nd pair of leaves on doubles and semi-doubles to shape (penultimate pinch).

Doubles

 

Things you can be doing in April:

If you have a heated greenhouse: -

  • Apply a thin cost of shading to the greenhouse 
  • Put plants outside during the day on suitable days 
  • Plant up decorative pots, planters, hanging bags; baskets and pots 
  • Hardy fuchsias for planting out should be in 12 or 13 cm pots by late in the month 
  • Take cuttings for any plants to be grown by the biennial method*** 
  • Switch feeding from high nitrogen to balanced towards the end of this month. Keep the triphyllas on high nitrogen 
  • Keep a sharp eye out for pests, especially aphids and whitefly 

If you have an unheated greenhouse: -

  • Take cuttings from suitable shoots and root in a cold propagator 
  • Visit your specialist fuchsia nursery and buy your stock of new plants 
  • If desired, use some of the new plants to plant up baskets, hanging pots and multi-plant pots for show or decoration 
  • Place plants outside on suitable days 
  • Be prepared to cover plants with fleece on cold nights 
  • Keep a sharp eye out for pests, especially aphids and whitefly

 

Excerpt The BFS Spring Bulletin 2016

***Plants grown in 3 ½ " pots are usually not allowed to flower in their 1st year and then potted on into 4" or 5" pots the following year to make marvelous plants for the Summer 

SHOW TALK: Thinking of the show already? Yes, you bet I am!

VACANCIES! VACANCIES!

POT WASHER

Assistant required to work in a very busy but friendly kitchen. Hours negotiable. Saturday and/or Sunday.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details.

ASSISTANT DEMONSTRATOR

Eager and willing Assistant required to job shadow an enthusiastic Fuchsia Grower. Role includes explaining to customers how to take cuttings; what kind of compost to use etc; pests and diseases and when and how to pot on. Experience optional.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details.

TOMBOLA ATTENDANT

Friendly attendant required for both Saturday and Sunday to man stall over the 2 days. Will consider part-time applicants as well as job-share. Role includes storing prizes leading up to show day; labeling and displaying on table. Required to arrive early to set up.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details.

PLANT SALE ASISTANTS

Assistants required to help man our popular Plant stall over the 2 days. Knowledge of fuchsias optional. Part-time or job share will be considered.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details. 

PLANT TOMBOLA ATTENDANT

Assistant required to run Plant tombola. Tasks will include setting up plants on stands and sorting out the tickets, therefore, attendant would be required Saturday morning to ensure all is in place for when the doors open at 1.30p.m.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details.

 

SHOW SECRETARY’S ASSISTANT

Administrative role on offer to someone who is eager to gain an insight into the ‘Behind the Scenes’ on Show day and to support a very busy Show Secretary.Training will be provided. Lucky applicant will be required Friday Evening and Saturday.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details.

 

ENTRANCE ASSISTANT

Opportunity for anyone with a welcoming smile and have clear communicational skills. 2 positions are on offer and able to consider part-time or job share.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details.

 

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

Helpers needed to set up Friday afternoon. Tasks involved will be to put up tables; erect stands; and erect 2 gazebos. Helpers will also be needed to dismantle everything Sunday afternoon after the show.

Contact Jayne Daykin for further details

 

NEWSLETTER

If anyone wants any item included in the Newsletter, please let me know, either at a meeting, or phone me on Tel: 0115 8758928, or email: jayne.daykin@ntlworld.com I will gladly include any article or event in the Newsletter.

Also, if anyone would rather I send them an electronic copy, please let me know.

Remember: It is YOUR newsletter.

Back Issues are available on our website – www.nottinghamandnottsfuchsiasociety.org 

 

22nd March

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Colin Nicklin speaking to us on Begonias. Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

2nd April

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society SPRING Show - held at the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton. 10.00a.m to 4.00p.m. ADMISSION FREE

15th – 17th April

Cardiff Flower Show

21st April

BEGINNERS CLASS at Wollaton Park Community Centre, 7.30p.m. To be held in the Barclay Room

26th April

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Nancy Phillips on Fuchsia Bonsai

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

5th – 8th May

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

May

Chelsea Flower Show

19th May

BEGINNERS CLASS at Wollaton Park Community Centre, 7.30p.m. To be held in the Main Room

24th May

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Geoff Smith - Fuchsias

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

16th – 19th June

BBC Gardeners’ World Live

 

 

28th June

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Mike DaveyDos & Don’ts of Showing

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

2nd July

** PLEASE NOTE AMENDED DATE**

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society SUMMER Show - held at the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton. 10.00a.m to 4.00p.m. ADMISSION FREE

5th – 10th July

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

 

26th July

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Sid Garcia – Fuchsia Show Talk - Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

20th – 24th July

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

 

13th – 14th August

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Show – ANNUAL SHOW at Attenborough Village Hall, Attenborough.

20th August

Derby Fuchsia Society ANNUAL SHOW held at Swarkestone Nursery

 

23rd August

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Alan Soloman – Triphylla Fuchsias

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

27th September

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – John Gibson – Daffodils (Joint meeting with Derby Fuchsia Society)

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

10th – 11th September

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society AUTUMN Show - held at the Coronation Hall, Toton, 2.00p.m to 5.00p.m on the Saturday and 10.0am to 3.45pm Sunday.

ADMISSION FREE

25th October

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – Fred Hunderhay – Overwintering Fuchsias

Meeting starts at 7.45p.m

22nd November

Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society Monthly Meeting – AGM and Christmas Buffet

Meeting starts at 7.30p.m

         

FUNDRAISING

The easiest way for all internet users to help raise funds for our Society is simply by every time you search the Web you use easysearch. Easysearch combines results from Yahoo!, Windows MSN Live Search and Ask.com in one simple search, the address is http://nottsfuchsia.easysearch.org.uk Please try it and encourage others too. Don’t forget if you make any purchases on the internet, to go through our webshop to make sure we receive commission from the retailers (currently over 2000 well known retailers), the address is http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/nottsfuchsia .

 

Remember our next meeting 

Will be 

Tuesday 26th April 2016 

And our speaker 

is 

Nancy Phillips 

Talking on 

FUCHSIA BONSAI