Did you know that the globe of pumpkins has some really staggering specimens ?
Giant pumpkins , to be accurate , can weigh anywhere from 150 pounds all the way up to an astonishing ton .
When these autumn pumpkin make maturity , their impressive size of it and unique appearance certainly demand attention .
One might assume that cultivating such a massive fruit would be an straining project . However , with the right condition and just a single seed , it ’s entirely possible to grow a pumpkin that rivals the weight of a gondola .
rightfully , the admiration of nature never cease to amaze !
To grow giant pumpkins , you must :
If you do the following , your autumn pumpkin might not pass on the gargantuan levels of the behemoth that set the world track record in 2016 , weigh 2624.6 pounds , but you’re able to easy reach weights more than 100 pound .
Keep reading for more details on how to get your pumpkin vine as large as possible !
Choosing the Right Breed
It all comes down to selective genteelness and pumpkin vine genetic science .
Over 30 class ago , pumpkin growerHoward Dillplayed with dissimilar hybrids and developed the popular “ Dills Atlantic Giant . ”
It is no surprisal that every earth champion has used these seeds . There are other pumpkin come that you could apply if you prefer growing a different miscellany .
Pumpkin Big Moose
This fruit can farm from 50 pounds all the way to 125 punt , which is impressive enough if you want to attract big crowds .
It features a medium ruby - orangeness color with a nearly circular form . It takes about 110 days for the pumpkins to take maturation .
Here is a pack of 15 non - GMO ejaculate . Click here to corrupt it on Amazon .
Pumpkin Dill’s Atlantic Giant
These seeds demand no introduction because every pumpkin vine partisan love their potential to hit tremendous storey .
Anethum graveolens ’s Atlantic Giant requires plenty of space to grow and require at least 125 day for full maturation .
Click here to buy these seeds , 10 per pack , on Amazon .
Pumpkin Polar Bear F1
These pumpkins feature an odd color that resembles the thick white pelt on a polar bear .
Their long vine produce ordinary sized autumn pumpkin of up to 30 to 65 pounds , which see telling . It take around 100 twenty-four hour period to reach full maturation .
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concerned in pumpkin variety ?
ensure to stop outour post about the 73 types of pumpkins- from the smallest to the largest .
What Kind of Growth Zones is Ideal for Giant Pumpkins?
The idealistic hardiness zones for pumpkins are 3 through 9 . For maximum growing , make certain to found them in an field protected from dry , blistering winds .
In the event of 8 to 9 , farmers will need to provide additional protection to the autumn pumpkin from freeze and rime in dip and leap .
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Weather Conditions for Giant Pumpkins
Pumpkins require plenty of sun to grow . attempt to find the sunniest place in your garden .
Pumpkin vines break down and injure fast when exposed to freezing temperature , allowing rot causing bacteria and fungi to attack the fruit .
TheUniversity of Illinois Extensionnotes that go out autumn pumpkin to in freeze temperature will have up to 90 percentage fruit exit .
The good prison term to imbed giant pumpkins is to wait at least two calendar week after the last frost has pass , or when the dirt temperature is at least 59 ° F .
Keep the pumpkin between 59 ° F to 100.4 ° F to harden and germinate them before transplantation .
Careful not to engraft them too early on because it will expose them to cold that could inure or rot the seedlings .
TheUniversity of Minnesota Extensionrecommends transplant pumpkins into the land when soil temperatures reach at least 65 ° fluorine .
If the temperature by chance plummets during spring or fall , shelter the pumpkins with newspaper mulch or black plastic .
Use row blanket that can hold enough heat to hold off the hoarfrost until your pumpkins give harvest .
Best Soil for Giant Pumpkins
Giant pumpkins are always thirsty for lots of water but do n’t engraft them in dense or pissed filth .
verify the soil is drained well . You do n’t ask tractors or any kind of machinery to dig down very far , digging up by mitt will do just ticket .
make the soil in other spring , once the reason is sufficiently warm .
Fertilize the soil with at least four inches of molder manure , moo-cow manure . This is to create a territory with a pH time value slightly near 6 or almost 7 .
If you live in zones 8 to 9 and there is danger of frost , you’re able to start grow pumpkins two weeks before transplantation .
engraft one ejaculate per four - inch peat deal fill up with peat moss . Make certain the pots are fully water , do not let them dry out .
Choosing Fertilizers – Which and How Much
When pumpkins are still acquire their leaves , they will require access to fertilizer that is gamey in nitrogen .
Once they start grow their fruit , the fertilizer should have more phosphorous and potassium , both these nutrient promote yield growth .
If you buy plant food from garden stores and do n’t grow your own , lead off out with a mellow number such as 10 - 5 - 5 , the switch to 5 - 10 - 5 , and so on .
These numbers represent the percentages of the three main nutrient , nitrogen , phosphoric , and potassium .
The first identification number is for nitrogen , the second and third are for phosphoric and atomic number 19 . high numbers represent a peachy denseness of the nutrient .
Pumpkin Flowers
Pumpkins have two flowers : male and female , these seem in July . The male bloom turn first , follow by female .
To secure your pumpkin vine grow up to bad and plump , you have to select a big vine , so hunt down for one before the autumn pumpkin .
Once you receive a strong and well - established vine with a distaff flower that is about to spread out , insure it with formative baggies to keep the insects out .
The female person can be easy identify because they have a baby pumpkin at their base .
Wait until the next morning to pick a overbold manful efflorescence , remove its outer petals , and rub the pollen - filled stamen around the center of the newly blossom female flush .
Read more : What do pumpkin flowers look like ?
Isolating the Giant Pumpkin
Once a pumpkin has reached the size of a basketball game , it is clock time to isolate it from other Cucurbita pepo and flowers on the vine .
This is to ensure the plant feed only the giant pumpkin vine . If done right , the pumpkin will produce very tight and reach 60 pounds in sizing at peak growth . In the meanwhile , keep feeding and watering until then .
How Much Water is Needed?
Add Mulch
Giant pumpkin are always thirsty for pee . verify to fan out around 3 to 5 inches of mulch , for lesson , weed - devoid shuck and shredded leaves , covering the pumpkin vines .
The mulch conserves urine and minimize the consumption of pee .
Do n’t use an excessive amount of mulch because they will immerse a peck of body of water and nutrient .
A good rule of quarter round is to keep a weed - free zone around the pumpkin industrial plant .
Water Daily for Best Results
water the autumn pumpkin plants every morning by using a garden hose pointing at the base .
Avoid any spraying or splashing to prevent body of water from reaching the giant autumn pumpkin ’s vines and leaves . The water should be able to reach at least 6 in of the land .
proceed to irrigate the pumpkin plants every day as is necessary to keep the soil moist .
Irrigate the soil aright after feeding your pumpkin plant . This is important because it carries the fertilizer to your plant ’s roots .
It is important to invalidate overhead sprinklers because they will incidentally splash to other areas of the plant such as the vine and leave of absence .
The bottom line is that this is a pumpkin potpourri , so if you ’re judge to uprise one to its fullest sizing , be certain to record out elaborated guide onhow to uprise pumpkin successfully .
How Long Does it Take to Grow a Giant Pumpkin?
Because you ’re originate giant pumpkins , expect the suppuration time to be anywhere from 125 to 150 day .
This is to describe for 60 days of plant growth and 80 days of yield growth . The time for harvest ultimately depend on other circumstance such as the clime , seeded player genetics , soil consideration , temperature , pH value , and other factors .
Largest Pumpkin in US History
In 2018 , the largest pumpkin in history weighs in at an tremendous 2,528 pounds .
It was develop by Steve Geddes of Boscaven who bag the $ 6000 booty money .
Where to buy Giant Pumpkin Seeds?
There are many online stores to choose from , most noticeably Amazon , Burpee , and Harris Seeds .
Amazon has the high number of seed assortment to choose from while computer storage like Harris Seeds tend to be more selective .
Check out thislinkfor an exhaustive list of 50 stores that proffer pumpkin seeds .
Harris Seeds
Harris Seeds has over 3 different varieties for giant pumpkin growers , this include the Pumpkin Polar Bear , Pumpkin Big Moose , and Dill ’s Atlantic Seeds .
It requires you to commit a minimum order of $ 100 before embark out , this wee-wee them slenderly more restricted than Amazon .
clack here to explore their website .
Burpee
Burpee is a great online store for gardening enthusiasts , but at the time of this article ’s writing , it only offers the Atlantic Giant for sale .
The good thing is that you do n’t need to station a minimum order for shipping .
Amazon
Amazon does n’t need an introduction because it is the biggest e - Commerce Department retailer in the world .
It has the turgid selection of elephantine pumpkin seeds , including Dill ’s Atlantic . The best part is the free shipping on select orders .
penetrate here to browse through Amazon .
More pumpkins to consider
Expand your pumpkin patch visible horizon ! Explore these recommended varieties from our land site alongside your gargantuan pumpkins through these article :
How to develop Dickinson Pumpkins
How to Grow Knucklehead Pumpkins
Growing Howden Pumpkins
