The Twelve Roots · Season 1
The Inaugural Draft
The Sunflower Showdown · May 10, 2026
Twelve roots. Six managers. One community expanding naturally.
The Twelve Drafted Roots
The picks are in.
Pick #1
Moulin Rouge
Maple
Pick #2
Italian White
Reed
Pick #3
Velvet Queen
Hazel
Pick #4
Strawberry Blonde
Harry
Pick #5
Autumn Beauty
Willow
Pick #6
Grey Stripe
Woody
Pick #7
Vincent's Choice
Woody
Pick #8
White Lite
Willow
Pick #9
Starburst Panache
Harry
Pick #10
Greenburst
Hazel
Pick #11
Ring of Fire
Reed
Pick #12
Valentine
Maple
Pick #1 — Maple
1Pick
The Field Notes
Maple
She has been tracking draft analytics for three weeks. In pencil. On graph paper. She circled two names. The rest of the page is margin notes.
Pod Selection — Announced Draft Day · May 10
Looking For
Growth rate consistency. Ideally from the start.
Clean leaf structure
High ceiling. If everything cooperates.
Pick #2 — Reed
2Pick
The Control Group
Reed
He ran the numbers. He ran them again. He cross-referenced them with the preseason rankings. He made his pick in four seconds. It checked out.
Pod Selection — Announced Draft Day · May 10
Looking For
The statistically dominant variety. Per the data.
Predictable height trajectory. Or close to it.
Stem integrity
Pick #3 — Hazel
3Pick
The Quiet Ones
Hazel
She was asked what she was looking for. She said: “something that grows.” She sat back down. Draft observers believe this is exactly right.
Pod Selection — Announced Draft Day · May 10
Looking For
Reliable performance. Week after week.
Strong bloom factor
No surprises. Preferably.
Pick #4 — Harry
4Pick
Production Crew
Harry
He arrived with his guitar. He played music through dinner. He made everyone laugh without trying. By the time the draft board came out, the Grove had already decided. His slot was written in ink.
Pod Selection — Announced Draft Day · May 10
Looking For
Community fit. Which he already has.
A strong partner for the season.
To prove the Grove’s instincts.
Pick #5 — Willow
5Pick
The Full Plates
Willow
She is still not entirely sure why sunflowers need to be drafted. She showed up. She has a selection in mind. She has also already thought about what she’ll cook.
Pod Selection — Announced Draft Day · May 10
Looking For
Visual impact
Strong structural form
Something worth claiming
Pick #6 — Woody
6Pick
The Ledger Men
Woody
He designed the scoring system. He set the draft rules. He certified his own draft position. He selected sixth. He sees no conflict of interest whatsoever.
Pod Selection — Announced Draft Day · May 10
Looking For
Height leadership
All-category scoring
A definitive answer to “why sixth”
Draft Order & Rosters
The six managers. Two roots each. One season ahead.
| Manager | Team Name | Pick 1 | Pick 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple | The Field Notes | Moulin Rouge | Valentine |
| Reed | The Control Group | Italian White | Ring of Fire |
| Hazel | The Quiet Ones | Velvet Queen | Greenburst |
| Harry | Production Crew | Strawberry Blonde | Starburst Panache |
| Willow | The Full Plates | Autumn Beauty | White Lite |
| Woody | The Ledger Men | Grey Stripe | Vincent's Choice |
The board is set. The reserve field waits.
After Pick 12
Two pods active. One in reserve.
Owner Reserves — Designated by Memorial Day Each Team Owner fields two pods but holds three. Before Memorial Day — when official scoring begins — every Owner designates one of their three pods as their personal reserve. The reserve pod continues growing alongside the rest. It does not score. If a competing pod fails completely, as determined by the Commissioner, the Owner may activate their reserve. The season-to-date score carries over as zero. Scoring begins from activation. Commissioner’s Reserves (3) — Prospect Field Three pods remain unassigned: Russian Mammoth, Ruby Eclipse, and ProCut Gold. They grow in Prospect Field alongside the drafted pods and carry no owner. The Commissioner holds them. They may be activated at his sole discretion — and only when absolutely necessary. For injury, weather, or catastrophe. These are the insurance the system designed for.