But before we can take cuttings we need a good compost. "What is compost?" and "What is compost made up of?" Using a bucket with 3½ litre of peat we added ½ litre of perlite and ½ litre of grit plus one measure of Chempak trace elements, clipped on the lid, gave it a good shake amd hey presto we ended up with a potting compost. I left this with the children for potting on other fuchsias. I gave each child a 6cm dwarf pot filled with cutting compostalready soaked and ready for use. Each child was given five long fuchsia cuttings, shown how to trim them down, dip them in rooting powder and place in the propagator, make out a label with name and date on it. Replacing the bottle top they were placed on the window sill where an eye could be kept on them! They were then left there for three weeks until I returned

26^th MAY  I returned fully prepared for the next stage! I was overwhelmed by the welcome and excitement that greeted me. The teacher reported on how the children made a bee-line for the fuchsias every morning. She had spent a couple of weekends worrying about all the hot weather, but there was no need. Each child held their own propagator and we removed the tops to reveal that most cuttings had rooted. There was the odd one that had gone down completely with others losing the odd plant. Each child was encouraged to take these plants home, to prick them out or grow them on as a multi plant. The seed tray of cuttings that had spelt ERIC, could still be read, but as the cuttings were now well rooted I left them to prick out and to grow on. Taking things a stage further, we created a loop and a standard fuchsia and we stopped the Snowcap plants and potted them into 13cm pots. They were to be given out on my next visit, so that they could be grown on at home, for entering the special children's class at our Annual Show.

16^th JUNE  Things are still progressing and growing well. Further plants have been pricked out with a view of selling them at the school Fun Day on Sunday 20^th June. They have been out and bought a bag of compost, and, yes they have all got the fuchsia bug! Today we covered stopping, shaping, feeding, pests and diseases and who should spray the plants if there is a problem. There are dangers in feeding and spraying, so the emphasis is on getting adult help. The Snowcap plants now established in their 13cm pots were distributed. A few hints on how to harden off plants, where to grow them, how to prevent them from falling over, and encouragement for each child to bring their plant to our show on 1^st August. Snowcap being a hardy cultivar it could be planted in the garden afterwards. A letter was sent to each parent, asking them to encourage their child to grow on their plant and to take it to our Annual Show, where they can enjoy the atmosphere, where for the first time in their lives they are involved in growing and showing. A question and answering session followed, which would have put any fuchsia group to shame. "My mam wants to know?" "My dad says you know more than him". So now we have the parents involved!

20^th JUNE  Kingmoor School Fun Day and I arrived at the school with a load of cuttings and plants for sale or raffle on the year four plant stall. The excitement from the children is unbelievable. They had me unloaded in no time at all. I've made friends for life here! I learnt later that they had raised £ 50.00.

2^nd JULY  A special day for the children. I arrived with Peter Howarth our President and BBC Cumbria's almost tame gardener and joining us later was Paul Braithwaite, the programme presenter who was to record a ten minute broadcast to go out a few days later. Such excitement with both year four classes in the school hall, so that no one would miss out on making a radio recording with local celebrities and meeting the faces behind the voices. Peter and Paul relaxed the children and got them to tell the whole of Cumbria what they had been up to in their school, and what they have learned about fuchsias. It was impossible for everyone to talk on radio so the selection was left to the teachers, but all were present and involved. After the broadcast Peter and Paul listened to what I had to say to the children. As this was my last visit I asked them if they had any questions they would like to ask me. They never stopped and each question was relevant. Can I ask a friend, or ask the audience, I was almost looking for help. For example: Q - what do I spray my plants with if I get greenfly or white fly? A - any suitable insecticide. Q - who has to do the mixing and spraying. A - ask a neighbour or friend to help. Q - is there anything that we can use ourselves that won't harm us? A - use, mix a little washing up liquid with water, give it a good shake and spray your plant. Q - wouldn't it be a good idea to spray all the plants around your fuchsias if you have a problem. A - yes, that would be a very good idea, to spray other plants, perhaps this is the source of the problem.
Peter Howarth commented that he does at least two question times a week, and he had never heard so many sensible questions even from adults! He added that the children were all a credit to the school and have listened very carefully to what Eric had been teaching - well done all of you.     continued on next page