Western Cape Fuchsia Society

Meetings

The Western Cape Fuchsia Society meets at 2pm on the first Saturday of each month between February and November at the St Thomas Church Hall, Campground Road in Rondebosch. Every month there is a practical workshop during which an experienced grower demonstrates a particular aspect of cultivating fuchsias relevant to that time of the year. Afterwards members have some practical experience, for example, in June and July they can bring any of their own plants that need potting-up and they will be guided through this process on these plant/s.

 The Society also invites a guest speaker to some meetings to talk about an interesting aspect of gardening, not necessarily connected to growing fuchsias.

Visitors are always welcome to participate and at the end of the meeting, they have the opportunity to discuss any aspect of fuchsia growing with the members over tea and cake.

Should you wish to join the Society, please contact the secretary (details provided below) for all relevant information.

A membership form may be downloaded here.

WESTERN CAPE FUCHSIA SOCIETY 2025 PROGRAMME 

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Meeting minutes

Date: 2nd August 2025

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Present: 22 members

Apologies: Ninon Carrington, Deidre Thompson, Jenny Scarr, Dot Moodie, Greta Graham, Mary Gibb, Barbara Symonds and Shirley Robinson

Jill welcomed all and asked Belinda to introduce Wilmar Burger as the days’s speaker

Wilmar is is regular speaker and he informs the members to the newest and best products his company, Makhro Home and Garden, can offer the members.

Wilmar likes to stay fit by cycling, going to the gym and he loves gardening. He is very attached to his Chihuahuas and protects the many chameleons he breeds to let loose in his garden

Wilmar was to talk on when to feed, what to feed, before and after flowering and most importantly he does not want to harm the chameleons in his garden

Ecolure: -

It is eco-friendly, reduces chemical pesticide use by attracting beneficial predators. It mimics natural scents to lure specific pest eating insects like ladybugs, lacewings and syrphid flies Ecolure controls aphids, whiteflies, caterpillars and mites

The lures are active for 4 weeks, hang in the top third of the plants and can be hung in sun or shade. It needs not replacing and will cover about 100 sq meters

Organicide +: -

This is a fast-acting broad-spectrum insecticide containing natural ingredients like canola, garlic extract and pyrethrins extract from flowers to protect plants from pests like aphids, CMR beetles and thrips. It is ideal for roses, fruit trees, vegetables and ornamentals

Organicide + can be used every second day for 7 sprays. If after the 7th spray the problem persists, Wilmar recommends a spray of of a cocktail of Koinor, 2 ml, SK Eco Oil 10 ml, Seizer 4 ml. All of this is  per liter of water. This can be used every second day for 4 days. This is not to be used on a regular basis

Sulfur

Sulfur is a fast-acting fungicide and acaricide against powdery mildew, thrips, red spider mite and rust

Plantcare: -

Needs to be mixed with Sk Eco Oil, if used on its own a very fine spray must be used

It controls aphids, worms, thrips, beetles and lily borer

Copstar:

Copstar is a copper-based formula combats fungal and bacteria threats

Multicote8: -

This is a controlled release fertiliser for up to 8 months. Easy and cost effective

Bioroot: -

This product contains Auxin and Cytokinin to promote root, shoot and reproductive cell division, ensuring strong seedling emergence and early growth. It can be used as seed dressing, through fertigation of foliar spray. This product helps seedlings recover from stress or shock

Multibooster:

Multibooster is much stronger than GroBest and can be used once per month as fertigation of foliar feeding.

Iron Chelate: -

Iron chelate strengthens your plants and prevents chlorosis, enhances vigor and boosts crop yield and quantity. It works across various soil types as well

Avoid wetting the the leaves of the plant, drench the soil.

Rossi 200 Super

Rossi controls up to 12 months of insects like ants that bring pests to gardens.’ It contains 2 active ingredients; thus, resistance cannot up build up against it. It has a long lasting resudual effect. The insecticide works through contact and ingestion

After a tea break with delicious eats provided by Barbara, Merle and John., the raffle made a lovely R520. It is with pleasure that Wilmar won with nearly all the tickets he bought