Young plants grown under glass often become straggly due to low light levels and high temperatures. Yet when stroked for a few minutes each day they develop a far more sturdy growth habit.
This technique, thigomomophogenesis, is under research at Hadlow College, Tonbridge. A specially designed machine that automatically brushes and strokes the plants has been built by the University of Greenwich.
They point out that spiny, toxic plants or those likely to cause allergic reactions should not be treated this way and should not be touched with bare hands.
When you have a few minutes to spare give it a try and see what happens - perhaps a show winner next year?

Waltham Forest Fuchsia & Pelargonium Society

Most small greenhouses are supplied with one or possibly two roof vents. Generally these are not only barely adequate but also sometimes positively dangerous.
When the vent is opened, the stay projects on the inside at a most inconvenient height whilst you are working on the staging. How many times has it 'poked you in the ear' or worse? To avoid the risk of injury, cut a slit into an old tennis ball and push it onto the end of the stay handle. It will not stop you hitting your head but it will reduce the pain.
For people who have difficulty gripping objects because of arthritic joints, the tennis ball provides a useful handle. The same result can be achieved with a small off-cut of foam pipe lagging.                    Coventry Fuchsia & Geranium Society

Having covered the crowns of the fuchsias in your outdoor hardy beds in the autumn you should now, in the midst of winter, occasionally check that the applied protection is still in place, adding more straw, peat, bark or old potting compost if necessary. After all, the most severe frosts don't often occur until well into February, March or even April.
Remember also that this has created a cosy hiding place for slugs and snails, so it might be prudent to add a handful of slug pellets just in case.

It is a good time to consult your specialist fuchsia nurseries, to replace lost old favourites or try your hand at some new varieties. Personal visits are most beneficial, as you usually end up with a wealth of good advice and many more plants than you intended to get.

We have reached the final few lines of our magazine, with just enough space left to thank members Aubrey Brooker, Joe Adams & Eleanor Gabriel for their fine contributions and once again express my gratitude to the 'guest authors' for granting permission to reproduce their articles and thus turning this newsletter into a real good read for our members
Hopefully you enjoyed reading it all and may I once again remind you that your news, views are sought after for our next edition due in April. Any contribution, however small will be much appreciated.                                   
Your editor, Claudy Dixon