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Milton, Vermont

I'm not sure I dare get involved with growing really big pumpkins, I can see where I could get really immersed (sp) in it if I wasn't careful.

BUT

I would love to be able to grow a bunch of bigger than normal ones for family and friends. Last year I had several PWs that were at or above the 100 lb. mark. This year my PWs, from new seed, failed to grow. Luckily(?) I had bunch of saved seed from last years biggest that did grow but was crossbred and produced mediocre mutants. I had two biggies, by my standards, from seed from Vesey's that was identified only as "Show Entries". Got one that I'm guessing goes 400+, 34" across x 24" tall, cream colored, traditionally shaped. The other is long and flat, probably 300 lbs but started to develop mushy spots a couple weeks ago.

Last Saturday we had a neighborhood pumpkin patch day which was a huge success. Cleaned out the patch, saw a lot of happy kids, had enough folks who felt they had to pay something for their pumpkins to pay for next seasons seed. Pretty good day overall.

So, what would I have to do, what should I plant, etc. to get a couple dozen "too big to lift by hand" fruits?

10/17/2010 9:17:12 PM

Minnesota

Seed soil sun & luck, you could join a club, on the main page under links there are clubs, Vermont has a club. giants require 500-750 feet. Get the seeds from here, growers will start offering free seeds from what they grew this year., or buy from a Auction over the winter, you could also just ask the grower for a particular seed. Soil test, ]ou could also go to aggc.org and see what seeds grew what. Someone will chime in wirh more info. Good Luck

10/17/2010 11:24:44 PM

Bloomington, IN

"so you want to experience the indy 500 while riding in the breakdown lane?"

- pap, 2008

10/18/2010 12:55:01 PM

Milton, Vermont

Thank you cholo, for your sarcastic reply, it was really appreciated,, NOT. I'm real sorry if I don't meet your standards but I can be as happy being able to present some braggable pumpkins to a few good kids as I would be trying for a ribbon. My granddaughter is just bustin' proud over "her" pumpkin as are her friends who all got 60-100 fruits. I'd like to do a little better but I'm having fun as it is.

Richard B., what meets the definition of "giants"? To me it would be something bigger than my 400 lb'er. I've got room enough to play with but not unlimited space. Soil tests will be going in in the next couple weeks so I will have some idea of what I'm starting with.

10/18/2010 3:37:00 PM

South Hero, VT

Alan,

If you join the Vermont Giant Vegetable Growers, you will get a packet of giant pumpkin seeds that will just about guarantee you a 400 lb pumpkin, provided you put in the work and follow the basic recipe(s). You will also be able to get advice from growers close to you, see their patches, and be part of a giant growers family.

Check out vermontgiants.tripod.com. There are 2 growers now in South hero, VT, and 2 in Fairfax, as well as one in Enosberg, not to mention 1 in West Chazy, NY.

I'm sending you shots of the fruits I grew this year. If you're growing giants now like the one in your email, you can be growing something in the 700+ lb range next year.

10/18/2010 8:10:31 PM

Bloomington, IN

Didn't mean to offend Alan. If I did I apologize. I was simply reading your post and that quote from a past thread came to mind.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=258632

10/18/2010 8:52:25 PM

Minnesota

Anything over 300 is pb breaker. Mycorhizal, Fish emulsion, Seaweed go with the basic recipe.

10/18/2010 9:11:59 PM

South Hero, VT

Alan,

Scroll down this board to "biggest pumpkin that isn't an atlantic giant" 10/15/2010.

Lots of good ideas on varieties that grow 100+ lb pumpkins without all the care necessary to grow AGs.

Sorry if I sounded as if I was pressuring you to join the Vermont growers.

10/18/2010 9:36:24 PM