Fuchsia distance education | Fuschia Growing home study.

Learn to Identify and Grow Fuchsias

Learn to Identify Different Species and Cultivars
Explore different ways of growing
Start a Fuchsia business, work in a nursery, or indulge a passion

Open your eyes to the world of fuschias. Fuchsias are a colourful group of plants with many varieties to collect and enjoy. The way you treat a fuchsia plant should be different from place to place, time to time, and according to what you are trying to get from the plant.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

Introduction
- Review of the system of plant identification
- General characteristics of fuchsias
- Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs)
Culture
- Planting
- Staking
- Mulching
- Watering
- Pest & disease
- Feeding
- Pruning
- Protection from wind etc.
Propagation
- Propagating and potting media
- Methods of propagating this group of plants.
- Stock plants
- Softwood cuttings, Semi hardwood cuttings
- Hormones
- Creating the best cutting environment
The Most Commonly Grown Varieties
- Magellanica hybrids
- Triphylla hybrids
- Upright (bush or shrub) fuchsias
- Tall growers (suited to standards)
- Dwarf Fuchsias
- Trailing Fuchsias
Other Important Groups
- Quelusia Fuchsias
- Eufuchsia Fuchsias
- Ellobium, Kierschlegeria,Skinnera and other groups
- How to train a Standard Fuchsia
- Creating an Espalier fuchsia
The Lesser Grown Varieties
- Various species fuchsias
Making the Best Use of Fuchsias
Special Assignment - On one selected plant or group.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

Identify different Fuchsias
Describe the culture of Fuchsias
Propagate Fuchsias
Describe the identification and culture of commonly grown Fuchsias
Compare a range of commonly grown Fuschias.
Discuss different lesser cultivated varieties of Fuchsias
Determine and explain a variety of ways Fuchsias may be used.
Discuss one aspect of Fuchsia cultivation in depth.

How Many Different Fuchsias are there?

There are over 8,000 fuchsia cultivars in existence and more and more are becoming available every year; this can make identification difficult.

Often, where a plant is cultivated can have an effect on its character, making it difficult to place. But if you study the individual characteristics, you will soon find the qualities that link each hybrid to its original parent.

Most modern hybrids or cultivars are derived from two groups:
1. The magellanica hybrids a cross between F. magellanica and F. fulgens. These hybrids most often have bi-coloured flowers; red, cerise, pink, "orange", purple or white is most common. The flowers grow from leaf axils - each with 3 buds ie. 1 vegetative and one vegetative bud with 2 flower buds on either side. Flowers come as singles (with 4 petals in the corolla) or double (with 8 ‘petals’ in the corolla) or semi-double 4 – 8 ‘petals’ in the corolla. Double flowers may be sterile as they are bred so that the stamens flatten out to resemble petals (they are not true petals). These plants grow in moist cool places and do not tolerate full sun or heat.

2. The triphylla hybrids – originating from F. triphylla and its allies including F. boliviana. These hybrids have the typical long tunnel (cigar shaped) flowers which form terminal spikes. The leaves are in whorls of three (hence triphylla). They can usually withstand heat and full sun.

TYPES OF FUCHSIAS

Some species and hybrids can be used across a wide range of different situations; adapting to variations in shade. light, moisture and humidity; but others are less adaptable, and may need a far higher level of care and attention.
Many may be available in your country; but often a cultivar grown in one country and found in one book or article, may not necessarily be available outside of the country where it was developed.

Hardy Fuchsias to Consider Growing

Cultivar	Height	Type	Flower	Year
‘Abbe Farges’	60cm	Semi-double	Tube and sepals light cerise, corolla rosy lilac.	1901
‘Alice Hoffman’	60cm	Semi-double	Tube and sepals rose, corolla white veined with rose	1911
‘Baby Thumb’	30 - 45cm	A sport of ‘Lady Thumb’	Variegated green and cream foliage - tube and sepals light carmine with corolla white.	1992
‘Beverly’	60 - 75cm	Single	Tube and sepals rose, corolla flushed pink.	1976
‘Blue Bush’	100 -120cm	Single	Tube and sepals rosy red, corolla blue fading to purple.	1973
‘Charles Welch’	60 - 75cm	Single	Tube and sepals ruby, corolla aubergine fading to ruby.	2004
‘Dollar Princess’	45 – 60cm	Double	Tube and sepals cerise, corolla rich purple.	1912
’Duchess of Cornwall’	60cm	Double	Lax growth; large double flowers. Tube and sepals bright red, corolla pure white.	1986
‘Edith’	90 - 120cm	Sport of ‘Margaret’	Tube and sepals red, corolla soft lavender.	1980
‘Frau Hilde Rademacher’	To 60cm	Double	Lax growth; rich red tube and sepals, corolla lilac blue.	1925
‘Genii’	75 – 90cm		Pale yellowish/green foliage; tube and sepals cerise, corolla rich violet.	1951
‘Hawkshead’	120 – 150cm	Single	White; green tips to sepals.	1962
‘Katie Rogers’	75cm	Single	Pinkish tube and sepals with mauve-lilac corolla. Flowers held horizontally.	2002
‘Lady Thumb’	30 – 45cm	Semi-double	Tube and sepals light carmine, corolla white veined carmine.	1966
‘Little Blue Boy’		Double	Small abundant flowers; Red tube and sepals with blue-purple corolla.	2002
‘Margaret’	120-130cm	Semi-double	Tube and sepals carmine, corolla violet with red veins; Early.	1939
‘Mrs Popple’	75 – 90cm	Single	Tube and sepals scarlet, corolla violet-purple.	1899
‘Ricartonii’	150cm	Single	Tube and sepals bright red, corolla dark violet. (Species rather then cultivar).	1830
‘Schneewitcher’	75cm	Single	Tube and sepals rich waxy ared, corolla rich violet blue.	1884
‘Tennessee Waltz’	60 – 75cm	Semi-double	Tube and sepals rose madder, corolla lilac lavender.	1950
‘Tom Thumb’	30 - 45cm	Single	Tube and sepals carmine, corolla mauve.	1850
‘White Pixie’	To 60cm		Tube and sepals red carmine, corolla white veined pink.	1968

WHY CHOOSE TO STUDY FUCHSIAS WITH US?

Reputation: ACS is well-known and respected in horticulture internationally
Experience: Our staff have been growing fuchsias for decades
Great Support: Qualified horticultural tutors can be contacted 5 days a week; assignments generally marked within a week.
Track Record -We have been writing about and teaching people to grow fuchsias since the 1980's. Our principal and staff are authors of an e book on fuchsias -you will be supplied a copy of this book as a reference in this course.

This is a unique opportunity to study fuchsias in a way that few other colleges offer, anywhere in the world. Graduates will have a significantly expanded understanding of how to identify and grow different fuchsia cultivars and an expanded awareness of the many different ways they might be used.

What Next?

ENROL or Use our FREE Course Advice Service to Connect with a Tutor

Principal of ACS Distance Education, John Mason, is fellow of the CIH.

Member Nursery and Garden Industry Association.

Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

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Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

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The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

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Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

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We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

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We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

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When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

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Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
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You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
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Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.

How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.

What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.

Take a look at their testimonials here.

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Our terms and conditions of enrolment are here.

Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.

Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

John Mason (Horticulturist)

Parks Manager, Nurseryman, Landscape Designer, Garden Writer and Consultant.
Over 40 years experience; working in Victoria, Queensland and the UK.
He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world.

Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)

Leading horticultural expert in Australia.
Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer.
She then studied Education and Training, teaching TAFE apprentices and developing curriculum for TAFE, before taking up an offer as a full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times and its magazine department after a number of years as columnist with the Age. She has worked for a number of companies in writing and publications, PR community education and management and has led several tours to Europe.
In 1999 Rosemary was BPW Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and is one of the founders and the Patron, of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic gardens. She has completed her 6th book this year and is working on concepts for several others.
Rosemary has a B Ed, BSc Hort, Dip Advertising & Marketing

Diana Cole

B.A. (Hons), Dip. Horticulture, BTEC Dip. Garden Design, Diploma Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector), P.D.C.
In addition to the qualifications listed above, Diana holds City & Guild construction qualifications and an NPTC pesticide spraying licence (PA1/PA6). Diana runs her own landscape gardening business (Arbella Gardens). Active in many organisations including the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Trees and Shrubs

Useful for students, tradespeople already working in the field, or the home gardener who needs a quick reference when choosing plants for a garden.

Growing & Knowing Fuchsias

Get to know fuchsias better with the "Growing & Knowing Fuchsias" ebook. Beautiful flowers filling your garden with a burst of colour.

Growing Trees & Shrubs for Small Gardens

Turn even the smallest space into a great place. This e-book is an essential guide for any gardener who wants to make the most of a small garden, balcony, verandah or courtyard.

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