March }, 1907 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Eis SwsrtaAan &. 
FINE HEALTHY PLANTS OF THIS 
HANDSOME HARDY IRIS, 4s. each. 
E. & W. HACKETT, 
Seedsmen, Nurserymen, &c., 
The Fuchsia 
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Fuscara is a genus of perennial dwarf 
shrubs and climbing and trailing plants, 
with few exceptions, originally natives of 
Central and South America. The first 
species introduced into England was 
Coccinea from Chili in 1788, after which 
none were received until 1823, when 
gracilis was introduced, : 
Several other species followed during 
the next few years, and the plants being 
easily cross fertilised and seedlings easily 
raised, the present type of garden fuschia 
was created, A number of the origina 
species is stili considered worthy of atten- 
tion: except in the case of individual 
flowers, many are quite equal to the 
florists varieties in value as decorative 
plants for conservatory or open border. 
Fuchsias are easily grown when the 
conditions are suitable and are again 
becoming popular plants. A few years 
ago finely grown specimens were seen 
at horticultural exhibitions, the plants 
being of large size and symmetrical in 
shape and covered with flowers, For pot 
culture, for geenhouse or verandah deco_ 
ration, the fuchsia is excellent, the plants 
producing their beautiful pendulous 
blossoms for a long time under fairly 
moist conditions. Many varieties are 
suitable for basket culture or trailing 
plants, the foliage of a few being also 
variegated or golden cultured. 
CULTURE. 
A rich sweet loam is the most suitable 
soil for fuchsias, either when grown in 
pots or open border. For pot culture the 
soil should be fairly porous, the addition 
7s Rundle Street, Adelaide, 
Telephone 350 
of sand Jeaf mould and well decayed 
cow manure effecting the purpose. The 
soil for potting should not be pulverised 
a rather coarse soil being preferable. The 
soil should be firmly pressed around the 
plants when repotting, as a loose soil 
produces gross Plants 
grown in pots should ‘not be allowed to 
become pot bound, but should be placed 
in larger pots before the roots become 
entangled around the sides of the pots, 
Vigorous plants growing freely may be 
repotted into pots two sizes larger than 
rank growth. 
those they occupy, weaker growing ones 
into pots one size larger. Plants when 
they are not grown under greenhouse or 
conservatory conditions should not be 
repotted during winter. For the open 
border shade and shelter from hot winds 
are of first importance, A southerly or 
If the 
soil staple is of a sandy hot nature, clay 
and cow manure should be liberally 
added, and the plants should be mulched 
and watered freely during the ver} hot 
dry weather. 
Pruning consists chiefly in pinching 
easterly aspect is most suitable. 
during the growing season to keep the 
plants in shape: a pyramiddal form is 
most suitable for the majority of varie- 
ties, enabling the whole of .the blooms to 
have full and ample time for development, 
During winter fuchsias in open borders 
lose most of their foliage. These plants 
_may be pruned back in spring when 
growth is commencing, 
Existing varieties are propagated from 
cuttings inserted in spring in pots or 
boxes containing well drained sandy soil. 
Nurserymen increase their stock. by 
placing the old plants in heat, and as 
they develop theystrike them in a fram 
or hothouse. Cuttings of the ripened 
growth are easily rooted in open ground, 
but the young growth is always preferable. 
New varieties may be raised from seed, 
which is often freely produced on plants 
in the open garden. No improvement in 
variety is likely unless well marked and 
fine varieties are used as seed parents 
and hand fertilised. The process is very 
simple. The male organs, the stamens 
should be removed from the variety 
‘selected to bear seed, and pollen from the 
variety selected for crossing should be 
applied to the stigma with a camel hair 
brush. The seedlings are easily raised 
and may be grown in pots for a while and 
afterwards planted out in ashady border. 
VARIETIES. 
A few of the original species are pro-— 
curable in local nurseries, including corym_ 
biflora, gracilis, splendens, triphylla an¢ 
procumbens. The latter is of trailing 
habits of growth. 
Varieties with double corolla— 
Avalanche, Countess of Hopetoun 
Jubilee, Mrs E. G. Hill 
Phenomenal, Edmond About 
Creusa, Molesworth 
Mr Gladstone, Christolphe Colomb 
Madame Jules Chretien 
Single corolla— 
Mrs Marshall, Mrs G. Rundle 
Leda, General Roberts 
Harlequin, Irma 
Mrs G. Ditton 
Countess of Aberdeen 
First of the Day, Sunray 
Wave of Life 
Earl of Beaconsfield 
Note cnange of address—Australia 
Gardener, corner of Pirie and Wyatt sts_ 
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