I took loads of fuchsia cuttings last autumn, and this spring I started training several as standards. They're only tiny, and I keep forgetting to remove the side growth, but we'll see how they develop next year. The trouble is, they looky so puny when they're this small (just a weedy stem and a tiny bit of growth at the top), it's difficult to imagine them as mature, attractive specimens.

If I remember correctly it is important to keep the leaves, and some small side growths, intact on fuchsia standards until they get to the height you want. You then clean the stem. Otherwise the plant has little in the way of leaves to sustain the plant while it is forming, and the stem hardens off prematurely restricting growth.

Brian

Ah... that's useful advice - thanks. Good thing I keep forgetting to remove them, then!

I've got three myrtle standards, each about 120cm tall, 6 or 7 years old - they were in pots till earlier this year, when I planted them in the ground as they seemed to be suffering in the pots. Two are now planted either side of a bench by the pond, quite handsome.
Currently working on a bay tree.

The thing about fuchsia standards is to choose a vigorous, upright growing cultivar, then at least you have a good start. Some cultivars have three leaves at each node instead of two, and they seem to make particularly good standards.

I have a plant of Fuchsia 'Lady Boothby', which is incredibly vigorous, growing 10ft or more into a Trachycarpus with ease, with long, sinuous shoots. I recently took some cuttings which were dead straight, pretty thick and about 18" long and popped them in a bucket of water meaning to try them as hardwood cuttings directly outside. When I next looked a couple of weeks later they were rooting madly. After having read this posting I will be growing one as a standard!

Keep them coming,

Maurice.

I think the experts also keep the cuttings growing in warmth through the first winter, again to avoid stem hardening prematurely, although if you start by rooting 18" cuttings that may not be too relevant.

Brian

I've grown several box balls - about 60cm high, from cuttings, and have also got two lovely bay trees which I keep at about 1m. I'm currently training a Buddleia alternifolia since I had a lovely one which just got out of control as a normal shrub. I have also 'lifted the skirts' of portugese laurels and viburnum tinus since my garden is pretty crowded. This gave room for more underplanting. Most shrubs will take this sort of 'standard' training if you do it slowly over the years. Barbara

Holly is easy to train as a standard. Cut off the top and remove side shoots from the stem. They are very amenable to being lollypopped.

I am attempting a solanum rantonettii - my first ever standard.

Great going everyone. Maurice, do let us know how you get on with your Lady Boothby next year.

Iona