The Canadian Horticulturist. 295 



FUCHSIAS IN SUMMER. 



FUCHSIA in perfection is always attractive, yet really good 

 specimens are comparatively rare. No stunted, starved 

 fuchsia will ever give satisfaction, and unless the plant is 

 given rich soil, sufficient moisture and partial sunshine, it 

 would not pay to grow it. 



To those, who have seen noble specimens growing as 

 high as eight feet, and loaded with handsome foliage and 

 flowers, says our correspondent, W. F. Lake, in Country 

 Gentlemen, no word is needed to convince them that they 

 are worth the extra care necessary to attain this size, 

 being far superior to smaller plants. In growing these large 

 specimens, cuttings, which should be rather short shoots, 

 may be taken off at the end of August or early in Septem- 

 ber, and as soon as they have formed roots, should be potted at first in 

 pots not over three inches in diameter, placing them in rather a warm position 

 for a time. When the plants have nearly filled the pots with roots, shift, using 

 the next siz;e larger. The main cause of " scrubby " fuchsias, is allowing them 

 to become pot-bound in the early period of their growth, and at no time, until 

 bloom is desired should the roots be allowed to become pot-bound. 



As summer bedding plants in a shady location, fuchsias possess strong 

 merits. If the soil be light and rich they will make surprisingly vigorous 

 growth, and, as in the case of all bedding plants, the foliage and flowers will 

 be decidedly improved in color and substance. 



Care should be take that the plants are not exposed to strong winds, as the 

 fragile flowers are easily injured and the buds knocked off", or whipped about so 

 they will be ragged or torn, if those left are open. 



Watering in the dry seasons should not be overlooked, and should be 

 applied in a thorough manner, soaking ground clear to bottom of roots. 



A very interesting sort is F. fulgens, which is a bulbous variety, dies down 

 in the fall and has a tuber which may be wintered as we keep gladioli and 

 dahlias. The flowers are produced in panicles and are very slender, and from 

 one to four inches long. This variety is started early in pots, and afterwards 

 set in open ground, comes into bloom at a time when there is usually a scarcity 

 of flowers in the garden, and never fails to attract attention from its peculiar 

 shape of flowers. 



Considerable interest may be derived in growing the fuchsia from seed, and 

 watching the different characteristics of the plant as they come into flower, and 

 in fact, during the whole period of their growth. Very good varieties may be 

 secured from seeds taken from the fruitlike balls on your own plants, which will 

 follow if the flowers are not picked off", the seed being found inside the reddish- 

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