The clusters do indeed take quite a while to grow. Long as they aren't shriveling up and falling off, you're doing fine, just leave 'em be.

I actually was doing a search for this same question on my crabapple tree. We purchased a second place as a get-away in the woods but love it so much we are here as much as possbile. Last year my crabapple blossomed beautifully and I had the largest, most abundant crop of crabapples. This year not a single blossom. The year before last (2007) I did not get any fruit but we had a late freeze which I thought might have killed the flowers. Since we are not here all of the time it is a little bit hard to track. I do keep a journal of my plants, shrubs and trees but since it is only as up to date as the times that I am here, it is not quite as dependable as wendyb. However, what I do have, when I finally thought of going back the 6 years we have owned the place is that it "seems like" it blooms and produces fruit every other year. This tree was fully mature when we moved in. It is otherwise healthy and growing well. So, my assumption is that this is normal for whatever type of crabapple that I have. Has anyone else seen this type of behavior in crabapples?

Alotofplants, often what happens with many ideas about clematis is that what was initially thought about them came from the British and their experience with them. This information is parroted along by everyone and it often takes a long time to get the information corrected. (As far as googling to get information on the web, you can probably find information out there that will support any position.) As an example about info that is parroted about clematis, take for example the idea that clematis are difficult plants to grow. Nothing is further from the truth especially if you give them what they need and you choose a variety that is suited to your area. The same is true about how some types of clematis are better suited to growing in a conservatory. Clematis fremontii and other similar types are grown in England either inside or in containers because they have trouble with them dieing off over the winter. I took this information to heart and planted my fremontii in a pot based on that information. I then learned of quite a few people here in the states, some in the cold north, who have been growing theirs outside in the ground for several years. As a result, mine are now in the ground and are doing fine. Yet, another myth out there circulating is that clematis need cool root runs. What they like is the moisture that is associated with cool root runs, that is moisture. The plants can exist in pots that get quite hot in the summer if they are provided the moisture, which is what they really need. Janet, if you look in Edith's book, you will also see that she says the following: "The only exception to the rule of not adding lime would be if you live in an area that has a major calcium deficiency. Have your soil tested by a professional soil lab and add lime only if their findings reccomend that you do so." Perhaps this is your issue lotsofplants. Perhaps a soil test would show that your soil lacks calcium that it is getting from the lime and that is what your plant is lacking, not the affect the lime has on your soil pH. I garden in acidic clay soil, have tons of clematis, and have never added lime to my soil. How can I grow them in acidic soil and you not? Perhaps the issue is calcium or some other deficiency in your soil that is being helped by a microcomponent in the lime and not the pH affect caused by the lime. Edith goes on to say: "I have found that in this country it is better to grow clematis in the more acidic planting situation of a pH of 6.5. Growing clematis in an acidic location is important for gardeners who live in areas where there is little rainfall." In another section of her book, Edith states that lime can inhibit clematis from utilizing essential nutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc from the soil. The bottom line is that unless you have investigated your soil conditions via a soil test, you don't really know if the lime is doing anything for your clematis or whether it is really needed. Something else may be the actual cause of clematis failing to thrive and lime may be just adding that extra ingredient. The pH affect may be totally unrelated. Excuse my insistence on fact and investigation, but it comes from graduating college with a chemistry major and biology minor. I am a science nerd and proud of it! LOL

I'm no expert in fuchsias but I do have a few of them. I live in Southern CA and my fuchsias are outside in the patio with lots of filtered sun (under a trellis) and they are flowering like crazy. Fuchsias require a lot of water but hate 'wet feet'. Make sure you let the soil dry up well before watering them again. They hate being in soggy wet soil. Good luck!