Geography
The Japan archipelago lies between the latitudes of approximately 25 and 45
degrees north. London is located at approximately 51 degrees north.
If you start in Tokyo and go due west, across China, the Middle East and the
Near East, you will eventually reach Morocco. I've heard Japan is the
southernmost country where fuchsias can be grown in the Northern Hemisphere.
Choosing Cultivars
Successful growing starts with the selection of cultivars.
The long, hot spell in Kansai, with high temperatures exceeding 35oC (95oF) and lows staying above 25 oC (77oF), has to be considered.
The simplest answer could be triphyllas, but the available cultivars in this category are limited in Japan. The Japanese (or Japanese suppliers?) seem to be more attracted to magellanica types, probably because they look more fuchsia-like.
As of 2003, I'm growing both triphylla and magellanica types, and more than half of the magellanica types I have are relatively heat-tolerant.
The cultivars I have include Beacon Rosa, Machu Picchu, Marinka, Multa, Pinto de Blue, Piper's Vale, Gartenmeister Bonstedt, and so on. Total 10 cultivars and some.
The long, hot spell in Kansai, with high temperatures exceeding 35oC (95oF) and lows staying above 25 oC (77oF), has to be considered.
The simplest answer could be triphyllas, but the available cultivars in this category are limited in Japan. The Japanese (or Japanese suppliers?) seem to be more attracted to magellanica types, probably because they look more fuchsia-like.
As of 2003, I'm growing both triphylla and magellanica types, and more than half of the magellanica types I have are relatively heat-tolerant.
The cultivars I have include Beacon Rosa, Machu Picchu, Marinka, Multa, Pinto de Blue, Piper's Vale, Gartenmeister Bonstedt, and so on. Total 10 cultivars and some.
Compost
You might be interested in the compost used in Japan.
The standard compost recommended by a renowned fuchsia supplier is as shown below:
The standard compost recommended by a renowned fuchsia supplier is as shown below:
- 5-part moss peat
(pH level should be pre-adjusted to neutral) - 4-part Kanuma soil (photo on the right)
(acid granular soil typically used for Azalea bonsai, blueberries or Alpine flowers) - 1-part vermiculite
Kanuma soil
I use Hyuga Soil (pumice-like granular soil) in place of Kanuma, as it
is harder and produce less powder which can spoil water drainage.
I also use composed buckwheat husk (good and less expensive but not commonly used) instead of moss peat, and add some zeolite to prevent root rot and broken crab shells to improve microflora.
I also use composed buckwheat husk (good and less expensive but not commonly used) instead of moss peat, and add some zeolite to prevent root rot and broken crab shells to improve microflora.
Hyuga soil
Composted buckwheat husk
Zeolite
Other materials used by Japanese fuchsia growers include Akadama soil (slightly
acid, most commonly used horticultural soil in Japan), charred rice chaff
(effective to prevent root rot and to correct pH level), and perlite.
Each grower has his or her own recipe suitable to his or her growing conditions
Each grower has his or her own recipe suitable to his or her growing conditions
Crab shell
Akadama soil
Charred rice chaff
