A ‘new’ if you can call it ‘new’ method of taking cuttings and growing them on has emerged in the last few years. This is where several cuttings are taken in a similar way as I have described and placed around the rim of a pot and rooted.

Instead of then ‘pricking out’ the cuttings into individual containers the cuttings are allowed to develop ‘in situ’. The normal potting on procedure (as described next) are adopted and a large specimen plant can be developed very quickly.

For more years than I care to remember I have adopted a similar method and the first time I won a ‘Hanging Pot’ class at the Leeds Show was a Harry Gray which is a Semi-Double (Dunnett 1981) and had no less than 14 cutting in it. It is true that you can achieve a huge specimen by carrying out this method. The 8” hanging pot had a diameter of over 40” and a drop of 24” - I know because it took me nearly 2 hours to dress this pot (get it ready for the show).

In fact when you look at some of the old photographs of fuchsia growers of the past such as James Lye and his son-in-law George Bright they can be seen stood beside their large exhibition plants which dwarf them. It is stated that there is documentary evidence that indicates that these specimens were developed from several plants within the structure rather than from a single cutting in a pot.

I have no problem with using this method and for plants that are just for display purposes it is ideal, however, if you are intending to ever exhibit this ‘pot of plants’ you must make sure that there is a class for it. Many an unscrupulous exhibitor has tried to pass of a multi cutting exhibit as being a ‘Bush Plant’ – don’t become one of them.

Again at this stage of learning the art of fuchsia growing I don’t think that you need the diversion of worrying whether you should decide on single or multi cuttings – learn to take cuttings and grow you plants well before you make any such decisions.

You have enough to think about over the coming months, there will be plenty of time over the winter months to contemplate if you wish to grow using this method.