Did you know that it is possible to grow a giant autumn pumpkin that matter more than you do ? It ’s fun and can be a bang-up means to impress your friend and neighbor with your gardening skills . Keep reading to get wind how you’re able to get started growing huge pumpkins of your own .
How Big Do Giant Pumpkins Really Get?
Giant pumpkins can be huge . In 2010 a new elephantine pumpkin world criminal record was set at 1810.5 pounds . There are also state records for these huge pumpkins . The largest autumn pumpkin on record in Arkansas weighed 534 pounding . In Maryland , the largest pumpkin weighed 713.5 pounds . In Wyoming the criminal record sits at 1011 pounds . It is possible to grow jumbo pumpkins in every res publica in the United States and in many countries across the world . Growing these huge pumpkins is n’t simple , but it is possible with the right knowledge and a trivial number of effort .
Choosing Your Seed for Giant Pumpkins
One of the most difficult constituent of spring up a giant pumpkin vine is choosing the right type of semen . If you want to accomplish huge resultant role you have to pick out seed that can corroborate this . All of the nurturing in the world is n’t going to make it potential to originate a thousand - pound pumpkin from a package of miniature Proto-Indo European pumpkin seeds . Giant pumpkins descend from the proper seminal fluid .
One great way to find proven seeds is to bring together alocal pumpkin growing association . These groups can also provide you with worthful peak and assistance as you plant and cultivate your Cucurbita pepo . There may not be an association in every country , but if you do have one available this can be a great resource for high caliber giant pumpkin seed .
Another great place to line up these seed are at various online baby’s room and cum company . One of the good varieties known for make disk - break pumpkin is Dill ’s Atlantic Giants .
CC flickr photo courtesy of Vasenka
University of Arkansas - Dill ’s Atlantic Giants Plant Information
Backyard Gardener - FAQ about Atlantic Giants
Planting Tips for Giant Pumpkins
Once you have your seeds it is time to commence beget ready to plant . Many prize - win pumpkin growers find that soil testing is a great way to determine where their dirt currently is so that they can decide how it needs to be prepared for a corking harvest . When your territory is tested you will receive a theme that inform you of the atomic number 7 , phosphorus and K spirit level in your soil . Use these to remedy your soil with nutrients , compost , manure and other soil add-on .
Giant Cucurbita pepo take a prospicient meter to get to their impressive size of it so it is significant to start your planting early . In many areas you will require to jump your seeds indoors before you transplant them outside . Once your seed have started and been transferred outside you will still need to protect them from late season icing , so view using frigid frames .
The Pumpkin Patch - How to Grow Atlantic Giant Pumpkins
Ohio State University - Growing Giant Pumpkins in the Home Garden
The Three Minute Gardener - How to arise a Giant Pumpkin
Fertilizing and Watering Giant Pumpkins
Fertilizing is of import during the entire growing season . You should begin using a plant food with a high concentration of Lucifer since this will further antecedent ontogenesis and then over time transition to a more atomic number 7 - based fertiliser . Once the fruit bulge out to develop you will then switch to a high potassium plant food since this aid the fruit to grow .
Consistent watering is also crucial , particularly if you hold out in a location where there is n’t enough rain . Pumpkin plants tend to have a shallow root organisation so they will need at least 1 in of water per week .
Emily ’s Garden - Giant Pumpkin Fertilizer Tips
CC flickr photo courtesy of Vasenka
Pumpkin Nook - Fertilizers and Nutrients for Pumpkins
Encouraging Pumpkin Growth
Once your Cucurbita pepo develop heyday you will ask to make indisputable that the heyday are pollinated . you may let this find by nature , although many giant pumpkin cultivators prefer to pollinate by hand to ensure that the bloom is pollinated using the best pollen for develop turgid pumpkins .
You will also need to cautiously place the vines of each pumpkin so that they are perpendicular to the fruit to ensure that the vine will still be able to hold the pumpkin once large size of it are achieved . Since each autumn pumpkin takes nutrient from the vine , choose one of the largest looking pumpkins and remove the relief of the yield so that the vine can focus all of its energy and nutrients to producing a large pumpkin .
Backyard Gardener-10 Steps to a Giant Pumpkin
Weighing, Measuring and Entering Competitions
If you do get an particularly large pumpkin , you will require to fix its free weight . It can be hard to physically weigh your Cucurbita pepo since it will be so heavy . You may want to get into it in a competition . recall that each contest has specific guideline and entrance regulations , so check that that you interpret the requirements for entering . Local pumpkin groups will hump of the best contest near you . Here is a slap-up liaison that you could utilize to figure your pumpkin ’s weight using its measurements :
The Pumpkin Patch - Weight Estimator Chart
Pumpkin Nook-2010 Contest Listings
Pumpkin patch and More - country by State Listing of 2010 Competitions
Other Resources for Growing Giant Pumpkins
There is a lot of assist out there for those that are interested in develop gargantuan pumpkin vine . Find a local pumpkin growing group or check out some of these links for more information about pumpkin vine growing assembly , chemical group and organizations . We have include contact to some local society . you’re able to retrieve others in your country by doing a lookup with your state name the idiom “ Pumpkin Growers . ”
BigPumkins.com - Pumpkin Message Board and Online Community
Giant Pumpkins.com - Giant Pumpkin Forum
Virginia Pumpkin Growers Association - Welcome Site
Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers - Society Information
Illinois Giant Pumpkin Growers Association - Chapter Information
So what are you hold back for ? Get started on your giant pumpkin today ! We trust ourUltimate Guideseries got you off to a great scratch line .
