Steclaire, Buddha, Carmma and Holts finally made it to Fort Bull-Knox on Sunday. They had initially been too weak or hadn’t sprouted and organisers feared they would all make an early exit from the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2020. The troubled plants were given extra time under the special care of Moomin Papa and have all made fantastic recoveries.

Two spares had been planted at the outset and, as all the original competitors have made it into the Fort Bull-Knox garden, the spares were adopted by two keen sunflower contest fans. Welcome to the contest and good luck to Dennis and Fozzy.

All of the arrivals were planted in random order along the front fence.

Meanwhile, the plants along the side fence have been growing well, with the exception of Helomi. There’s always one!

The flowers were measured on 17th May 2020 and here are the standings.

 Team USA is leading the way.

Tallest

Buddha needs some encouragement.

Smallest

Most of the sunflowers have been transferred to the hallowed soil of Fort Bull-Knox and were planted in random order along the fence.

The remaining four flowers, Buddha, Carmma, Holts and Steclaire, took self isolation too far and failed to show up for the contest. In the spirit of lockdown love, they have been given a second chance and will remain under the care of Moomin Papa until they decide to join the fun. They will then be planted along the front fence if or when they are ready.

So, who’s looking good so far? I hear you cry from afar.

Gramps is looking strong.

Flower and Knoxley are in good shape.

Sprilbey and Wooper are doing well.

Bears is probably the smallest of the bunch so far but baby bears often grow into big bears!

The tallest flower on judging day will be crowned the winner of the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2020. Those that can’t be big can still be beautiful and will be in with a chance of winning the Indie award for the prettiest sunflower.

Ricarah soars up to the sky to be hailed the tallest flower, and Daisy is named the prettiest sunflower.

The step ladders had to come out of the shed for judging day of the Bull-Knox Sunflower Contest 2019.

Ricarah was the tallest, measuring in at a whopping 266 cm. Shmelling was the next tallest at 258 cm with Gramps close behind on 257 cm.

Ricarah, Shmelling and others are yet to bloom so could get taller but it’s the height on judging day that matters!

As it was Knoxie’s birthday weekend she accepted the invitation to judge the prettiest flower to win the Indie Award 2019.

Sprilby and Moomins were close contenders but after much consideration, Daisy was declared the prettiest sunflower.

The final measurements for all the competitors are below (in centimeters) along with Knoxie’s comments in the judging of the prettiest flower:

The relocation of the contest from the rabbity dangers of the back garden into the front garden has been a success. For the first time ever, all sunflowers survived the duration of the contest, and record heights have been achieved.

Well done to all competitors and thank you for taking part. Tune in next year for the 2020 competition.

Bloomin’ ‘eck it’s hot! And the sunflowers are loving it.

I have not measured them but Bears, Shmelling, Bull-Knox, Team USA and Gramps are ginormous!

Pears, Bears and Dennis the Menace have all shown their faces today and look how lovely they are:

A mystery tomato plant appeared amongst the sunflowers on Thursday evening.

The plucky fellow was planted in its chosen position this morning.

Will it leave the sunflowers red faced?

Good luck little guy.