[[[[The Great SAUK Sunflower Competition 2024!]]]]]

[biscuits]

Hi every one,

It's the return of the SAUK sunflower competition!



It's best to plant your seeds towards the end of April, so let's say plant them around 24th April. It doesn't matter if you do this before or after because they'll all catch up! Don't worry too much about when you plant them but check that we aren't due a frost!

Click on the smileys for some growing tips:

Remember to post pics to share the progress of the seedlings.

There isn't a prize, it's just for fun!

[I'm happy to grow sunflowers for others! Just ask and one will be planted in your name!]

[Chess&Junkfood]

It's sunflower season already! Time is going by so fast for me lately! It only seems like yesterday when I was putting Chess Jr on a coffee mug. Although he's probably mulch by now, but at this rate, so will I!

I'm sorry Biscuit, I think I'm having one of those existential crisis things. Either that or it's indigestion. Oh and could you please grow a sunflower for me?

Anyway, I would stop longer, but I better start preparing for the Secret Santa thread!

[biscuits]

Yesssss! Yeah, it's rolled round so quickly!

Yep, yep - of course I will plant one for you!

[gregarious_introvert]

I didn't realise until last year that I could have a seed planted for me (I have nowhere to grow anything), so would you please plant one for me, biscuits?

I did pretend to enter in 2021, when I found a park full of sunflowers on the Isle of Man and I tried to do something similar last year, but I couldn't get the photo to load

[biscuits]

Yep - I can plant one for you!

that's hilarious!

[Sisyphus]

Thanks for sorting this for this year.

I have already planted mine and they are the same type as last year (fartichokes).

There was a good crop from them last year and had five buckets full of tubers from three plants. The ones I dug a short while ago did have some slug damage but were still good to eat.

I have been eating them most days since September and my digestive system has got used to them and they no longer make me windy.

[biscuits]

^ woohoo!

Sisyphus is the king of the sunflowers! The ones you grew last year were so tall! Proper cloud ticklers.

[Chess&Junkfood]

Yes, I also remember Sisyphus's Sunflower all too well! That Sunflower was indeed a worthy opponent for my Chess Jnr! Although I do believe this year will be different and you have finally met your match! Then again, I'm not entirely sure if Chess Jnr II has been planted yet? But I still believe that this year will be different and you have indeed finally met your match!



Biscuit?

I'm sorry, I've had a bit of sugar tonight. And also a Nescafe 3 in 1 sachet.

Anyway,

Best of luck, everyone!

[biscuits]

Haha maybe there lies the secret ingredients for growth.

I'll fertilise chess jr with a sachet of Nescafé 3in1 and a sprinkle (or 7) of sugar.

[Chess&Junkfood]

That sounds like a winning formula to me! I would recommend giving Chess Jnr II a pot noodle, but then again I still want to give Sisyphus a fighting chance!

[NeverWas]

I have kindly stepped up and put myself forward as the judge of this competition.

Good luck everyone and I will be watching everyones growths closely.

[biscuits]

^ marvellous!

I can plant one for you if you like!

Also anyone else - let me know if you want one planting!

[Chess&Junkfood]

I think it's great that you're going to be a sunflower judge, NW! And to welcome you into your new role, I've got you a nice gift:



Although I hope no one thinks that I'm trying to influence your vote. After all, I just know that you will be a fair and impartial sunflower judge. And it goes without saying that I don't expect any preferential treatment when it comes to Chess Jnr II.

Oh and let me know if you want any monogramed bath towels, NW! I've also got you a personalised teasmade on standby.

Anyway,

[biscuits]

Today’s the day that I will buy the seeds and pots etc!

[Chess&Junkfood]

Oh and good luck, everyone!

[NeverWas]

@ Chess. I spotted your monogrammed bath towels and teasmades in the bargain basket of the local charity shop. And everyone I bump into seems to have had an interaction with your mugs.

So nice try our Chess, but I am singularly unmoved by your bath sets and my decision will not be compromised. I will be a free and impartial judge, as behoves a sunflower judge.

[Chess&Junkfood]

Absolutely, NW. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Oh and I forgot to give you one last gift:



Anyway, I would chat longer, but I need to be up at 7am.

[NeverWas]

^ Are you deliberately trying to lose.

[Chess&Junkfood]

I'm so sorry, NW. I should have known better than to offer you Genovese as a gift! After all, you deserve the best! No offense, Genovese.

Anyway, once again, I am so sorry for this misunderstanding. Although if you would like an apology gift, then I've got a personalised waffle maker on standby for you.

[biscuits]

So far I haven't planted anything, which is lucky because there was a frost last night!

[Chess&Junkfood]

No rush, Biscuit. After all, I've got a good feeling that Chess Jnr II will be judged very well this year. Which reminds me: