GIANT pumkins!

[desertlady]

I just saw on news about this guy growing HUGE pumpkins! I didnt get the all the details, but he was from New york and was going to enter a competition the end of the month. They looked like they were over 500 pounds ! I was wondering what kind were they and when did he start planting them? I hope he doesnt get me started ! it got to be lots of work caring for it !! :weight

 

[897tgigvib]

Hi Desertlady

The usual variety of giant pumpkin for the last 20 or so years is Dill's Atlantic Giant, a Cucurbita Maxima. In the past 10 years or so there have been several variations. There is now what they like to call Giant Squash. Pretty sure those are at least part Dill's.

If you purchase a packet of Dill's you can probably grow a local giant pumpkin, but it probably will not be a statewide record holder. There are a couple of internet sources for seed that comes from record holders. Those are the seeds you need to grow the really huge whoppers.

Regular Dill's Atlantic Giant seed seems to cost just a bit more per seed than say Blue Hubbard, like 10 seeds for 3 bucks or so. You'll grow some 200 to 400 pounders, maybe less or a bit more, depending on your experience and desire levels. Maybe even up to 800 pounds!

But to grow the record holders that you need a tractor to move around, you'll spend 5 to 10 bucks per seed. That's a good start to making a person determined to grow the first ONE TON pumpkin. Seed cost that much, it better grow big!

One of those websites also has record holder seed for other vegetables too, tallest corn, biggest cantaloupe, and then there is the real prize among deep south southerners, biggest watermelon...

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Around here, Giant pumkins are a big deal. People start them early, from what I hear fertilizer is KEY! Some that I know create their own little greenhouses over the individual plants to start. I have heard of injecting milk into the stems, etc. Sound like too much work to me. But for those who attempt it in order to win $$$$ at the fairs, they take it very seriously.

 

[catjac1975]

The world record is over 1800 lbs. The discovery channel did a show on the giant pumpkin competitions. You think YOUR'RE a crazy gardener!!!They build slings and beds for their pumpkins, shade covers, all kings of contraptions. They have had competitors sneak into their gardens and kill their plants. A world unto it's own.

 

[desertlady]

Interesting!! Seriously I will not waste my time growing it that big! its got to have a good place for it to grow ! The county fair here are not as big as back east , they are probably around 200 pounds. Gosh Im sure it takes a lot of money involve! By the way that guy says he waters 100 gallons a day from his pond ! Hes got four of them on his property with heavy fencing around it !

 

[desertlady]

The world record is over 1800 lbs. The discovery channel did a show on the giant pumpkin competitions. You think YOUR'RE a crazy gardener!!!They build slings and beds for their pumpkins, shade covers, all kings of contraptions. They have had competitors sneak into their gardens and kill their plants. A world unto it's own.

1800 pounds!!!!! Wow!