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FUCHSIAS   What to do this time of year (General information for the Adelaide Plains area)

Januaryin JANUARY .  Give plants a light summer prune. Cutting back by one third reduces    transpiration in heatwave conditions. .  Check for rust in humid weather (remove infected leaves) .  Place plants as near as possible to the ground to keep root systems cool .  Check for pests eg. red spider .  If leaves are yellowing or dropping may indicate a shortage of Nitrogen .  Use both controlled-release and soluble fertilisers. For the latter, do not    fertilise in very hot weather Februaryin FEBRUARY .  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater .  Check baskets are free draining .  Check for rust in humid weather (remove infected leaves) .  Place plants as near as possible to the ground to keep root systems cool .  Check for pests eg. red spider .  If leaves are yellowing or dropping may indicate a shortage of Nitrogen .  Use both controlled-release and soluble fertilisers. For the latter, do not    fertilise in very hot weather .  Remove spent blooms .  Occasionally flush plants to remove salt build-up if using mains water Marchin MARCH .  Continue to check for pests eg. aphids and diseases .  Rust could be a big problem. Remove and destroy all infected leaves .  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater .  Check your slow release fertiliser. It may need to be renewed especially    if there is yellowing of the oldest leaves .  Give weekly doses of liquid fertiliser Aprilin APRIL .  Remove spent blooms and seed pods .  Keep the surface of the mix clear of dead leaves and other debris .  Take cuttings for growing standard fuchsias .  Continue checking for rust and aphids .  Check watering Mayin MAY .  Raise your baskets a few inches/cms to receive more of the winter sun .  Your plants should be out from under shadecloth (depending on weather) .  Check cuttings taken in April for a good root system. If established    enough then pot on to a larger pot .  Check your pots, labels and secateurs ready for pruning next month Junein JUNE .  Pruning time (hard pruning) .  Take cuttings for propagation .  Root prune older baskets .  Replenish potting mix .  Incorporate a wetting agent .  Plants will not require as much watering or feeding until re-growth starts .  Ensure good ventilation around your plants .  Check regularly for rust

Julyin JULY .  Pruning time for those not already done .  Take cutting for propagation .  Root prune older baskets .  Replenish potting mix .  Incorporate a wetting agent .  Plants will not require as much watering or feeding until re-growth starts .  Ensure good ventilation around your plants .  Check regularly for rust Augustin AUGUST .  Place plants in a light sunny position if possible during winter .  Be aware of frost and take necessary precautions .  Remove weeds as soon as they appear .  Be very diligent checking plants for rust and any other diseases. Isolate    any infected plants and remove all leaves .  Enjoy your winter flowering fuchsias .  Do not let plants dry out but keep them moist .  Pinch out tips (including new buds) to shape plant .  Add slow release fertiliser Septemberin SEPTEMBER .  Continue pinching .  Cuttings could be ready to pot up to 125mm containers .  Take care when handling cuttings so as not to bruise them .  Use good quality potting soil .  Make sure labels are inserted securely in pots .  Check for rust Octoberin OCTOBER .  Pot up those cuttings not done in September .  Continue pinching plants (not show plants) .  Fertilise with soluble high potassium fertiliser to encourage flowers .  Check for pests eg. thrips, aphids and caterpillars .  If weather remains cool try to keep your plants in the open .  Don't forget to check that plants are kept moist Novemberin NOVEMBER .  Check for pests eg. thrips, aphids and caterpillars .  Check under pots for caterpillars .  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater .  Remove dead or dying blooms .  Remove leaves and debris from top of pots .  Weekly application of liquid/soluble fertiliser Decemberin DECEMBER .  Enjoy your beautiful flowering fuchsias .  Keep plants moist but DO NOT overwater .  Weekly application of liquid/soluble fertiliser but do NOT fertilise in very    hot weather .  Include granular fertilisers .  Mulch plants and add wetting agent if not done .  Check baskets are free draining

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