Fuchsia (feu´-shi-ah). Natives of Mexico, S. America and New Zealand, fuchsias (sometimes called Ladys Eardrops because of the form of the flowers) long have been favorites both in the garden and indoors. They are shrubs or trees in their countries of origin, but in the U.S. they generally are cultivated in the house (or in the cool greenhouse) as pot plants. However, they often are bedded out over summer in N. gardens, while in milder climates they are cultivated outdoors the year round. The species differ widely in their appearance and habit of growth, some being only 18 in. tall and other reaching 20 ft. or more. In the commonly cultived species, the maximum height is about 12 ft. All species are shrubby, grow rapidly, are generally of erect form and produce long branches, from the extremities of which droop the beautiful, pendulous flowers in great profusion. Fuchsias are often trained and pruned to form standards, or large pyramids with one central stem. In developing the latter shape, all shoots except the leader must be pinched in, carefully and systematically. So rapid is the growth of the fuchsia that where it can be treated as an outdoor plant it can be used to cover walls and fences. Medium rich garden soil, containing some leafmold, is best; the plants also like a rather humid atmosphere and partial shade. The foliage is simple, generally small, and the flowers, produced outdoors in July and August and indoors nearly the entire winter, range through rose, red and purple to white. The calyx, consisting of four parts, generally is refl exed and so colored as to contrast beautifully with the corolla, also of four parts. Plants grown from seed should be started in the greenhouse in January or February; and the plants can then be set out in May. Propagation, however, is most often done by cuttings of soft greenwood handled as follows: After the plants have finished blossoming indoors they should be “rested” by putting them in a cool, dry place and withholding water, except for the small amount needed to keep the wood from drying. Start watering and feeding them again in December, and by February there will have developed enough new shoots for cutting. Do not use hardwood. Take cutting with two joints and root them in the propagating bed. As soon as they are rooted, they should be potted in 2 in. pots or rich soil composed of loam and leaf mold with a slight quantity of sand. Shift to larger pots as growth makes it necessary and in repotting cut back the branches slightly. Pinch off the ends of the new growth frequently to produce stocky plants. Cuttings so handled should make good plants in 6 in. pots the following fall. Full exposure to the light, a moist atmosphere and water as needed are essential, especially when the plants are young. Cuttings of outdoor-grown plants may be taken in the fall. Control red spider by syringing the plants occasionally with water.
PRINCIPAL SPECIES
Florists today grow few of the natural species, most of their attention being centered on the hybrids, the number of which is increasing. Most catalogs list only hybrid varieties. One of the best is F.hybrid, probably derived for F.magellanica and F.fulgens. Its leaves are 4 in. long and the flowers have crimson calyx and purple petals (sometimes rose or white). The flowers, often 3in long, are sometimes double. This is the common conservatory and window fuchsia. Other important species are:
F.magellanica. Usually a low shrub but growing to 20 ft. when trained on walls. Leaves 2 in long; fl ower ½ in., with red calyx and blue petals. This species, which has numerous varieties, is commonly grown outdoors in California.
Arborescens. Another tall species, reaching 18 ft., with leaves 8 in. long but flowers only ½ in., pink or purplish. Fulgens. To 4 ft.; leaves 7 in.; fl owers 3 in., red. Splendens. Flowers scarlet with small, greenish petals and long, protruding stamens.
Triphylla. To 1 ½ ft.; leaves small; fl ower 1 ½ in., cinnabar red. The name California-fuchsia is sometimes applied to Zauschneria California. Cape-fuchsia (which sees) is Phygelius capensis