[[ The Great SAUK sunflower competition 2023 ]]

[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!]

[Laurel]

I'm a little sunflower, yellow and stout.

[Sisyphus]

I have already planted my sunflowers a month ago.

They are not going to beat anyone for height because they are Helianthus Tuberosus and I am going to eat them.

They do have a reputation of making you a bit windy though.

[Jen.]

I haven't planted anything at all this year yet. It seems to have been raining or freezing most days so just haven't had the chance. I didn't realise how late I'd left it though... apparently last year I planted the sunflowers in the middle of March I'm going away for a few weeks soon so there's no point risking things dying of thirst in the greenhouse or dying of neglect outside, if I plant sunflowers this year it'll have to be the end of May with hopefully a sprint finish.

[biscuits]

^ of course

[biscuits]

Brrrr I might hold off planting them until it warms a little!

[Appear]

Can the gayest looking seed be named after me, please?

[biscuits]

^ I’ll toss them in the air and see which one lands on my hairy chest

[biscuits]

I'll be planting the seeds tomorrow

A little late, but we've had some reet cold days! (I'm just forgetful )

Appear, Neverwas - I'll plant some for you.

If anyone else wants one planting in their name, let me know!

[Percy]

I don't have a garden (top floor flat), can you plant one for me pretty please biccies?

[biscuits]

Yes, of course!

£80 a week for garden rent, plz.

[Percy]

[biscuits]

I finally planted the seeds this evening and got very filthy in the process.

I forgot to buy compost so used my dad's tomato compost (shhhh!) haha hopefully does the same job!



All planted under the watchful eye of the independent adjudiCATor



I think she thought the seed packet was Dreamies.

[Percy]

Aw, lovely cat

[biscuits]

Aww thanks, she's actually quite a hostile little cat .

[Percy]

[Appear]

Thanks biscuits!!! I'm excited! And also competitive - I hope birds steal the seeds of everyone else's.

Also, the cat it a beaut, even if mean.

[biscuits]

You're welcome!

Thanks . Today she looked at my foot with disgust and attacked it until I put a sock on haha.

[biscuits]

Well.

WELL.

Disaster has struck. In the form of slugs and/or snails. They may have formed an alliance.

The sunflowers have been ravaged.

I mean this is great for the hedgehogs that visit the garden because they are going to have some juicy supper as a result.

I've replanted them but it could be too late - unless we have a longer summer.

I'm ever so sorry everyone! First time it's happened but I know a few others in previous years have had the same thing happen.

[Chess&Junkfood]

[Percy]

[biscuits]

tissues all round, right?

Usually I plant loads of them but this year I've been so bizzy!

The snails and slugs have got eat something and if they don't eat, the birds and hedgehogs can't eat.

[biscuits]

hehe exactly!

A hog cam, now there's an idea! Gonna have to look into that. She's a huge hedgehog! I didn't realise they get so big.

[Jam do Bronx]

So far mine are looking alright. They're doing something.

To honour your fallen sunflowers, I've decided to name my ones after you. Meet the Biscuit family:

Which leads me to my question about watering frequency - how often should I make you wet? Do you like it a couple of times a week? Or would you like me to make you moist all day, everyday, 7 days a week? Tell me how wet you want me to make you. Because daddy can make it happen. Sunflowerly speaking, of course. Jesus.

Seriously though, how often do they need watering?

[Sisyphus]

^ Moist, 24/7, it's the only way.

Mine are doing quite well apart from one that was cut down by a slug. I have two left and they are about four foot high at the moment.

The one that was cut down is starting to recover so there is hope.

[Appear]

I completely missed that slugs had ruined our fun.

This is what Himalayan sea salt was made for.

[biscuits]

it's like my own 50 shades of biscuit trilogy.

Awww I love this, jam! Thank you :D

Glad yours are thriving. Your little ones will love them.

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by Appear

I completely missed that slugs had ruined our fun.

This is what Himalayan sea salt was made for.

Yeah! So sorry, Appleear.

I'm going to put some seeds in the ground directly and hope for the best. It's a bit late though!

[biscuits]

I put the pots outside of the greenhouse with the intention of tipping them out, but then totally forgot.

And look! They've grown!



Percy and Appear - what can I say? The universe hates you, I'm afraid.

(I've planted replacements and they're in the greenhouse so they should shoot up on this heat.)

[Percy]