Bulls is now top of the table in the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2018. A big shout out also goes to previous bottom of the table dwellers, Sparkly and Helomi, who have embraced the sunshine and shot up to joint third place.
Naughty is leading the way in the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2018. Bulls is currently the second tallest with Bears and Shmelling close behind.
The measurements and rankings as of this morning (14th June) are below:
1. Naughty – 35 cm
2. Bulls – 31 cm
3. Bears – 30 cm
4. Shmelling – 30 cm
5. Gramps – 28 cm
6. Team USA – 28 cm
7. Pears – 22 cm
8. Sprilbey – 20 cm
9. Bull-Knox – 15 cm
10. Sparkly – 14 cm
11. Buddha – 12 cm
12. Helomi – 10 cm
13. Holts – 0 cm
Left to right: Helomi, Bulls, Sprilbey, Pears, Bears, Shmelling, Bull-Knox, Gramps, Holts, Naughty, Team USA, Buddha, Sparkly.
Those at the bottom of the table should not despair. All flowers are in with a chance of winning the Indie Award for the prettiest flower. And, the bigger the flower the more likely it is to fall from the fence and be eaten by rabbits!
Four of the thirteen competing sunflowers in the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2018 have sprouted!
Gramps was the first to say hello, followed by Bears, Bulls, and Naughty.
These competitors will be pleased to have made a good start but there are no prizes for the earliest risers. It’s all about height and beauty. Judging will take place at Knoxie’s birthday BBQ where the tallest and prettiest flowers will be crowned winners.
The seeds have been sown and the contest to grow the tallest sunflower is underway.
Teams from left to right:
Helomi, Bulls, Spilbey, Pears, Bears, Shmelling, Bull-Knox, Gramps, Holts, Naughty, Team USA, Buddha, Sparkly
.
One half of last year’s winner (Em&Em) will be making a solo effort to retain the title as Sparkly, and Shmelling will be hoping to keep the Indie Award for the prettiest flower.
Judging of the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2017 took place on Saturday 5th August.
Judge Bowd measured the contenders for the tallest flower and named Em&Em the winner:
Taller than ClarkyOne Em of Em&Em and Judge Bowd
On receiving the award, Clarky, the shorter half of duo Em&Em said, “I’m very proud to have won this contest. Being small, I never thought I’d win a competition for the tallest anything!”
New for 2017, the Indie Award, was introduced in memory of the beautiful bunny and chief sunflower slayer, Indie. Pauline and Mick had the task of picking the prettiest flower for this award and declared Shmelling the winner:
Pretty flowerIndie Award winners, Short and Melling, aka Shmelling!
Melling, said, “It’s an honour to win the Indie Award for the prettiest flower. Our weedy plant was almost destroyed by snails in its early days but it just goes to show that an ugly duckling can turn into a beautiful swan.”
Many of the flowers are yet to bloom so I’ll post their pictures when they come out to say hello.
Thanks for following the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2017 and to all the competitors. You’re all winners!
Bobaul was the first sunflower to show its pretty yellow face in the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2017. Bears followed, revealing a beautiful orangey red flower.
As gorgeous as they are, the early bloomers may have peaked too soon (putting their energy into displaying their flowers rather than reaching for the sky) to be able to catch the tallest competitors. However, they are both still in with a chance of winning the new award for 2017: The Indie Award for the prettiest flower.
With 10 days to go the tallest flower is hard to call with Em&Em, Shmelling, Pears and Gibbles all striving towards the sun.
Race to the skySteclaire has lost its head!
Sad news for Steclaire who, although the plant still looks healthy, was found to be headless. The perpetrator of this horrific attack has not been found but a trail of slime was found on the upper leaves. I’m not sure if it’s scientifically possible but I’m rooting (sorry about the pun) for Steclaire to grow a new head and get back in the race.
The official judging takes place on 5th August 2017.
Indie, the chief sunflower slayer, has passed away. Indie has been a big fan of the sunflower contest since it began and can be seen below hopping past the first flowers as a baby in 2014.
Indie and the sunflowers
The next year she realised how tasty the flowers were and, along with her sister Pongo, fought through all defences to devour the plants.
Indie gave the competition an element of danger and will be hugely missed. But don’t worry, Pongo is still waiting to pounce on any sunflowers should they get too heavy and fall from their current safety on the fence.
Despite the sadness, the contest goes on and Gibbles has reached above the rest.
Gibbles takes the lead
Shmelling has enjoyed a growth spurt and is now neck and neck in second place with previous leader Em&Em. Pears, Gramps, Bears, Steclaire and Choltman are hot on their heels. Although slightly shorter, Ricarah, Bobaul, Bull-Knox, Moomins and Amme are all looking strong and could make a late burst. Judging takes place on 5th August. Who will be the tallest?
The heat is on in the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2017. Em&Em and Gibbles are still the tallest but Gramps is not far behind. Bears, Pears and Shmelling have all enjoyed a growth spurt in this sunny weather. The official judging takes place in less than seven weeks but the competitors have been measured today to check their progress.
