The Launton May Day Sunflower Challenge

The Sunflower Competition Report

At the May Day Fair this year PHIP gave sunflower seeds, compost, pots and instructions and promised to measure the tallest plant in mid September. It became clear that the hot and dry summer had brought the plants on, so 4 September was set as Measuring Day.

Some growers reported that plants had flowered in mid August and then died. One had measured their plant to 2.2 metres, but most growers’ plants had either been eaten by slugs, or had died in the very hot weather. The winner was a plant grown in West End that reached 2.62 metres (or 8' 7¼'') on Measuring Day. The seeds will be saved and we’ll offer them for a similar challenge next year.

The tallest plant was grown for a granddaugher who lives in Edinburgh. The prizes have been delivered, and she appears on the cover of this issue.

The front cover shows the winner of the Sunflower competition launched at the FoLPH May Day Fair. She is Daisy Gray, and the sunflower pendant was a part of the winner’s prize package. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by Robert Cornford

Robert Cornford FoLPH