This year the competition plants were even  bigger than last year so they have  supplied us with thirty cuttings to grow on for sale. So far all appear to have taken successfully  They are planted in well-soaked vermiculite and stand in a shallow tray with a small amount of water. Not shown here  -  the old propagator cover which is used to maintain a humid atmosphere .Although it doesn’t completely fit it  is sufficient for the job.   

These cuttings (left) were taken at the beginning of the month and will hopefully be ready to pot on in real compost in about three to four weeks. The vermiculite simply provides support and moisture for rooting. The tray is not allowed to dry out.

On the right

is a variation on the same theme using an old washing-up bowl.  In this case the cuttings have been left uncovered although it is possible that the whole outfit could have been covered with clingfilm or placed in a large transparent plastic bag. It would then have needed regular checks to ensure that botrytis didn't occur.

Rooting in vermiculite ensures that the medium takes up just the right amount of moisture. All watering comes on demand from below. It does, however, mean that the resulting roots will be rather tender so extra care must be taken when potting on.  Another possible drawback is that the roots will not hold so much of their original vermiculite when moved on as it falls away more easily than actual compost would. This is not necessarily a bad thing as then they are not surrounded by non-nutritious material in their new home.

On the left

 three separate cuttings are grouped together under a commercial plastic bell jar which can be obtained quite inexpensively from some garden centres in packs of three. These can be used again and again and are well worth the original outlay as they are so versatile. The larger version fits nicely over a five inch pot and makes a nursery for one plant or a whole host of seedlings. There is also a smaller version on the market. However. clear yoghurt tubs can serve equally well if a small hole is punched in the top for ventilation. Upended these fit snugly over the smaller pots.

When the cuttings are ready to be moved on a handy idea is to put them in old polystyrene boxes saved from trips to the local nursery.  These pack quite closely together to save valuable space and yet are not too close too allow essential air movement between the plants. It is helpful to be able to move six plants around at a time. Grown in  polystyrene the cuttings are liable to dry out quite quickly so regular watering is necessary from above.

These are just a few of the ways cuttings can be grown successfully. Every grower will have their own tried and tested methods and labour-saving devices. It has been said that fuchsia cuttings will grow if they are accidentally dropped on the greenhouse floor!  Maybe things are not quite that simple but they are tough little blighters with a strong will to live and thrive. It is not necessary to fuss over them as this can often be the worst possible thing for their well-being.  Give your cuttings a comfortable home with the right amount of light and water and it is difficult to go wrong. They will not know if it’s an expensive electric propagator or an upturned coffee jar. Growing fuchsias need not cost a great deal of money and swapping or selling healthy cuttings can be a great way of recouping some of your expenses.

LOVE THE ELEPHANT IN YOUR GARDEN

I was lucky enough this year to find elephant hawk moth caterpillars on my fuchsias.   Yuck! I hear you say. Stamp on the nasty beasts before they eat all your plants. But I didn’t. I watched them grow and marvelled at their amazing peacock-eye patterns as they chomped happily on the green leaves.  They grew as big as my index finger before one day they just vanished.  Like most hawk moth larvae they had buried themselves in the soil ready to pupate, where they will stay safely through the winter till summer comes again.

My Dreamcatcher plant now bears a label “Elephant hawks!” to remind me not to repot or use Provado on it. I know that next summer on warm July evenings my garden will be haunted by glorious rare pink moths nearly as big as the palm of my hand. And I will still have my fuchsia plant  putting out fresh green leaves for the next generation of caterpillars. As for folks who advocate the green wellie treatment—all you will have is a dusty cup on the mantelpiece for your precious fuchsia,  a slimy boot and a nasty mess on the patio!