When first joining a club or even reading a Fuchsia book the new member will come across terms that are not familiar and even well seasoned members may need refreshing so this page will attempt to provide all you need to know.

SHRUB:  is an exhibit  (whether for show or your own pleasure) with more than one shoot emerging from below compost level. It can also be grown from more than one plant. The entire shrub should be covered with an abundance of healthy foliage and flowers. The exhibit should present a balanced shape when viewed from all sides.

BUSH:  is a plant which must be seen to have been developed on a single stem not exceeding 38mm. The entire plant should be covered with an abundance of healthy foliage and flowers. The plant should present a balanced shape when viewed from all sides.

We all hear the experts talking about "nodes" "internode" etc etc but how many of us stand up and ask what these terms mean and why they are important? I quote the following paraphrased article from an article which appeared in the Horticultural magazine in 1977. I found this in Fuchsia Fanfare Sept 1993.

Auxin is the growth - regulating hormone produced by the plant that governs all growing activity within the plant. (Auxin= from Greek meaning to grow)

Auxin is produced in the top most apical bud of the main stem and in the young leaves.. As it is synthesised, it flows downwards in decreasing amounts, regulating lateral and axillary bud growth and cell elongation. It also controls root growth and development. The lower parts of the plant need lesser amounts of growth hormone.

Each part of the plant requires different amounts of this essential hormone. The receipt of improper amounts of this regulatory substance can act very adversely on that part of the plant. This is why strange growth activity suddenly develops in some plants. Too much auxin actually retards growth. The stem of the plant has the greatest need for paramount growth. The buds are next in line, while the roots demand the least amount. Now in understanding the above facts you can recognise what happens when you pinch a plant.

When you cut out the apical bud you reduce the amount of auxins in the stem. This induces two important activities.

First, it slows down the stem elongation, thus making the plant more compact. Second pinching stimulates the lateral auxillary buds in the leaf nodes. This causes the plant to be more dense. Thus, pinching apical and lateral tip growth periodically will produce a more compact, bushy cultivar. By selectively pinching, a plant's shape and size can be controlled within reasonable limits. Another very important point about auxins should be remembered: the growth hormone will be activated more on the stem side away from light. Improperly controlled, this will cause plants to grow towards the light and elongate the stems on the shady side. This can cause serious disfiguring problems when you are trying to shape a plant for show, or for just overall plant beauty. Turning potted plants periodically will solve this problem.

more to come