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The fuchsia is one of the most adaptable of all plants and is easily trained into possibly more shapes than any other plant. Fuchsias are so adaptable and they can be grown in so many different ways and trained for so purposes. They make beautiful specimen plants; or they can be trained as a standard (sometimes mistakenly called a fuchsia tree) in differing heights that may becomes the centre piece of your garden; or perhaps as bedding plants for the border; they can be trailing plants in tubs, window boxes, hanging baskets, wall baskets or hanging pots; they can be put on patios in large tubs and urns or what about as a small pot on window sills in the house. They can be trained into balls and circles, spirals, pillars, pyramids, fans or espaliers the choice seems almost endless, how’s that for versatility.
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For the newcomer to growing fuchsias there is no need for me to discuss in detail the different forms here , suffice to say that if you are thinking of exhibiting as I stated previously join the British Fuchsia Society and obtain their Judges and Exhibitors Handbook, this will give all the information you require. BUSH FUCHSIA 'S With this method plants are grown on a single stem which for exhibition purposes should be no more than 1.5" (38mm) from the soil level to the first branch. If you have no intention of exhibiting these plants the length of stem is immaterial.
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| A 'Bush' type fuchsia - one stem only |
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SHRUB FUCHSIA'S These are plants grown with more than one stem and because the stems are below soil level they have the ability to throw out additional shoots from below soil level. Plants are sometimes ‘potted on’ with the lower branches beneath the soil to encourage new growth. This lowering the plants into the pots to stimulate new growth is especially useful when you are growing Triphylla varieties. Both bush and shrub plants are stopped in the same way to produce more growing tips and consequently more flowers. The most popular and easiest form of training a fuchsia is the "bush" or "shrub" those new to growing fuchsias are advised to become familiar with the principles of training these shapes before they attempt the more extravagant types.
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| A 'Shrub' has multi stems from below soil level |
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STANDARDS To be very basic, standards are only bush plants that are grown on elongated single stems. They are not very difficult to achieve but as is the case with most forms of fuchsia training you should choose a suitable cultivar. You can choose a lax variety for mini-standards or weeping standards, but for lull or half standards you will be well advised to choose a variety with a strong upright habit. If you only intend to grow a standard for your own pleasure you can grow it to whatever height you want, however, for exhibition purposes at nearly all fuchsia shows standards are divided into the following categories: SMALL POT CULTURE or MINI STANDARD The pot is not to exceed 5¼” (133mm) Stem must not be less than 6” (152mm) or more than 10" (254mm) maximum from soil level to the first branch
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QUARTER STANDARD Must be not be less than 10” (254mm) or more than 18” (457mm) from soil level to first branch
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