How to Grow Giant Pumpkins
The
world
record for giant pumpkins is 1,818.5 pounds. People who see these giant
pumpkins, want to know "how do they grow pumpkins so big?" Growing pumpkins
isn't difficult. Growing a big pumpkin, takes a bit of work and effort. Growing
a giant pumpkin, weighing close to a ton.... now that takes a lot of effort,
and requires a lot of knowledge.
If you already grow pumpkins, you are off to a good start towards a monster
pumpkin this fall. When, you enter the world of giant pumpkin growing, plan
on spending much more time to pamper and nurture your plants, to grow pumpkins
at a phenomenal speed.
Did you Know? At peak growth, record breaking giant pumpkins
can grow 40-50 pounds a day, or more!
Top Ten Secrets to Growing Record-Breaking Giant Pumpkins:
-
Super Soil - First, get out your soil tester, to assure that the
soil pH is ideal for growing pumpkins. Average
soil just will not do. Add ample amounts of compost and manure to your soil.
It is best to till it into your soil in the fall, especially if the manure
is raw (not decomposed). Check the pH again, after adding soil amendments.
-
Great Genetics -If you want to grow a giant pumpkin, seek seeds that
have the genetics to grow huge fruit.
Goliath Giant pumpkin seeds and Atlantic giant pumpkin
seeds are readily available. This will get you started. After a year or two
of learning and attending the giant pumpkin weighoffs, you will come in contact
with giant pumpkin growers who can give you some of the best genetic seeds
available. The very best genetics are not available in stores. The top growers
have them. Armed with good genetic seeds, you have the potential to
grow a giant pumpkin. The rest is up to you.
-
An early, indoor start - Giant pumpkin plants require 140 days
or more from the time you plant a seed, to the time you harvest the fruit.
Growers seeking to break the world record, start in mid to late April, and
harvest them in early October. That is as many as 160 days from when the
seed was planted! Chances are, you will have to start them indoors. When
you do, they will need your attention, and as much sunlight as you can provide.
It also means, you may need to provide cold and frost protection when you
transfer them outdoors. As October nears, you may again have to protect them
from cold and frost.
-
Lots of Fertilizer, the right stuff, at the right time -
Throw away what you've learned about fertilizing, and re-learn the
art of fertilizing giant pumpkins. It is truely an art form, as giant pumpkins
require huge amounts of fertilizer. Start with a high nitrogen formula in
the spring. Apply a high phosphorous fertilizer in advance of the blooming/fruit
set stage. Finally, switch to a high potassium formula, for fruit growth
and plant health.
-
Pour on the Water - The top growers have elaborate drip systems, to
deliver the right amount of water (moist, not wet soil), 24/7. They
are adding liquid fertilizers, fish emulsions, and seaweed fertilizer
in their water tanks.
-
Liquid Calcium - All the fertilizer and nutrients in the world can
not be used efficiently, if soluble calcium is not present in your soil.
Liquid calcium significantly increases the ability of plants to take up those
nutrients and use them, to grow big fruit.
-
Nurturing Plant Growth and Pruning Vines - Prior to flowering and
fruit set, the trick is to get your plant growing fast and furious. But,
that's not enough. Here is how the top growers train and develop their
vines: Grow the vines in a "Christmas tree" shape. Let secondary vines grow
up and away from the main vine, to a length of 10' to 12'. At this point
pinch off the growing tip, and bury it in the ground. Also, prune off any
tertiary vines (those that grow off the secondary vine), as they appear.
Pruning is vital, to maximize growth of the fruit. It encourages, or "trains"
the vine, to focus upon sending nutrients to the fruit.
-
Promoting Secondary Root Growth - Secondary root growth can have a
HUGE impact upon the final weight of the fruit. Secondary roots can form
at the point where a a leaf stem meets the vine. Cover the vine at this point
with a couple inches of rich garden soil. Keep it well watered, and the roots
will grow deeply. When fertilizing, don't miss fertilizing the secondary
roots, too. More on Secondary
Roots
-
Insect and Pumpkin Disease Protection - Many a grower has had a great
big pumpkin growing strongly on the vine, only to have it slowed, or even
felled, by insect problems or plant disease. Unfortunately, pumpkins are
susceptible to a number of insect and disease problems. Fortunately, there
are insecticides and fungicides that will treat many of the most common pumpkin
plant problems. It is vital to begin a treatment plant early, BEFORE insect
or disease problems can take hold. Begin applying insecticides early
in the season. Begin using fungicides before heat and humidity arrives in
your area.
-
Shading the Fruit - Giant pumpkin fruit begins its life, as a soft
shelled, yellow fruit. The skin is very pliable, allowing it to quickly grow
and expand. Hot, sun and dry wind, can harden the skin, signaling the fruit
to ripen. The trick, is to keep the skin soft, and pliable. Giant pumpkin
growers quickly learn, that a shade cover over the fruit is essential to
growing 'em big. Shade covers can be simple, or elaborate.
Did You Know? Like regular field pumpkins, giant pumpkins are edible.
There are plenty of recipes for cooking with giant pumpkins. But, the bigger
they get, the coarser the texture of the pulp.
You are now armed with the top grower secrets to growing giant pumpkins.
Now, go out and produce a new, world record giant pumpkin!
More on Giant
Pumpkins
See
the world record giant pumpkin
Buy Giant Pumpkin Seeds- try our Goliath Giant
Pumpkins seeds which comes with a "How to Grow" pamphlet.
Pumpkin Recipes:
May we suggest:
More Information:
Pumpkin Nook is the internet authority
on pumpkins. From how to grow, to recipes and history, it's all there.
Pumpkin Carving - After you've grown
'em, it's time to decorate and carve 'em.
How
to Grow Big Pumpkins -and small ones, too.
Pumpkin On a Stick!? Perhaps.......
Pumpkin Trivia
Buy Pumpkin Seeds - big and small, giants,
too.Buy Vegetable Seeds Finest quality Ferry Morse Seed,
America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee to grow".
Buy Guarden Raised Garden Bed Frames Perfect for people
who aren't into building their own raised beds. These raised beds are attractive,
long lasting and affordable. Guarden raised bed frames are the strongest
in the industry. A greenhouse system can be added to them, too. |
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