 | | Main arena audience |
The West Midland Fuchsia Society marquee is a short walk from the main arena. Their tent was filled with fuchsias (and families) of all types and sizes - all lined up, some bearing awards. Sue and Chris from WillenhallOutside the Society's marquee sat Sue and Chris from Willenhall, with friends. "I've been to this show for the last two years - because there's a big rabbit tent!" said Sue.
 | | Sandawana at the City Show |
It was Chris' first time at the City Show. He said: "The flying motorbikes were really good. The big trucks - I'm very impressed, I want one. I'd come back again - it's been
good. There's something for everyone here." Sue: "We loved the trucks!". Across from the West Midland Fuschia Society marquee stood the Wolverhampton Fruit and Vegetable Show marquee - filled with produce and the pride of the Black Country Fuchsia Society. Pat Rogers, award winning fuchsia grower
 | | Big Pete in action! |
Pat Rogers, from Cheslyn Hay is a member of the Black Country Fuchsia Society. Her plants had won first and second prizes. She said: "This winning fuchsia is named after Ken Tudor (from the Express and Star newspaper) - it's a new variety. "A member of our Society grew it from seed, then gave me the cuttings - and I grew it on for this class in the section. I've won the class and I'm quite chuffed about that.
 | | West Park bandstand |
How to grow award winning fuchsias? Pat's tips: "Plenty of tender loving care to start with. Keep checking your plants and spraying them against pest and disease, because in the warm weather they do tend to get green fly and white fly. Feeding is most important - I use Chempack Number Two.
 | | Pat and her award winning fuchsia |
"Show judges look at the freshness of the foliage, that the colour of the flower matches the leaves. "As you can see - this plant has plenty of bud to come out. Usually though, when it goes in a show they prefer it full of flower and not so much bud. You have to have so many leaves, so much bud, and so much open flower." | 
