Course CodeVHT112Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationStatement of Attainment Become an expert in growing and using fuchsias Learn how to cultivate fuchsia Explore their different varieties Understand their uses Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: Introduction Review of the system of plant identification General characteristics of fuchsias Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs) Culture Planting Staking Mulching Watering Pest & disease Feeding Pruning Protection from wind etc. Propagation Propagating and potting media Methods of propagating this group of plants. Stock plants Softwood cuttings, Semi hardwood cuttings Hormones Creating the best cutting environment The Most Commonly Grown Varieties Magellanica hybrids Triphylla hybrids Upright (bush or shrub) fuchsias Tall growers (suited to standards) Dwarf Fuchsias Trailing Fuchsias Other Important Groups Quelusia Fuchsias Eufuchsia Fuchsias Ellobium, Kierschlegeria, Skinnera and other groups How to train a Standard Fuchsia Creating an Espalier fuchsia The Lesser Grown Varieties Various species fuchsias Making the Best Use of Fuchsias Special Assignment - On one selected plant or group. Different Ways To Grow Fuchsias Being quite versatile in habit and hardiness, different types of fuchsia may be grown in many ways. Pots on the Ground Fuchsias can be grown in pots or tubs, as hanging basket plants, as a hedge, a small bush, taller shrubs, or as groundcover plants. If grown in a basket or pot, they tend to dry out much faster than if grown in the ground and can be damaged by strong winds. Some protection and regular attention to watering is essential for container grown fuchsias. If you haven’t got the time to keep a close eye on them, either install a drip irrigation system to water each plant or plant them in the ground. As Indoor Plants Fuchsias can be used as indoor plants but they do need to be managed as such which means giving them periods in either a greenhouse, or outdoors. They will tolerate the lower levels of light inside a building, but the dry air indoors can be a problem. Air conditioning makes it even more difficult to keep fuchsias inside. As Greenhouse Plants A greenhouse is a “tool” that allows us to control the environment for the plants we grow in it. There needs to be an appropriate reason for growing fuchsias in a greenhouse. If you are in a very hot climate a greenhouse can provide a cooled environment. If the climate outside is too dry, the greenhouse can create a more humid place, and if the climate is too cold then the greenhouse can be heated. Greenhouses are often used to ‘overwinter’ fuchsias in colder regions because they provide collections of plants with protection from frost and snow. As Tub Plants Fuchsias are usually propagated and grown in containers when young, but are also sometimes grown their whole life in a container. The type and size of container you use will be determined by the cultivar being grown and the way in which you want to grow it. A large growing cultivar can be kept smaller by confining it to a smaller container and pruning the top, or even by treating it like a bonsai. Container plants offer you a number of advantages: Containers can be moved - in a cold climate, they can be moved to a protected area in winter. They can be rearranged periodically, so the better looking plants are always the most prominent. Drainage, soil and other conditions can be better managed in containers. The container itself can be decorative and add to the aesthetics of a garden. You can take plants with you if you move house. You can easily swap duplicate species with other collectors. As Basket Plants Fuchsias are widely grown in hanging baskets but there are some problems that can arise if they are grown as basket plants. The typical types of problems are much the same as growing them in any container. A basket fuchsia that is growing in a European spring or summer can be truly spectacular, but a similar basket display when grown over summer in dry inland Australia may see the plants quickly fade and die within days. Who Will Benefit From This Course? Fuchsia enthusiasts Those looking to set up a fuchsia nursery Nursery owners and workers