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My neighbor has grown Big Max's the past two years and they have matured amazingly fast. He planted (from seed) on June 28th and now has a small (10-15#'s) but ripe Big Max. That's 30 days from seed to maturity. What could cause this? Too much nitrogen? He doesn't do anything to his patch and even his jack be littles are ripened and his sunflowers and tomatoes are maturing after 30 days. He found out the previous owners had a chicken coop where he plants and there was also a dog in that same area? Any idea's? I told him this would be the best bet to find an answer. Thanks everyone in advance and just think if there was some way to harness his section of garden and extend the growth period, wow!

8/1/2011 9:37:05 AM

Lexington, Ky

Too much sun and heat

8/1/2011 10:15:58 AM

Still 30 days seem's to early for a seed to produce ripened fruit...

8/1/2011 10:28:42 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

No way from seed...your neighbor is smoking something. The plant requires atleast 45 days to mature to produce a female, then atleast 30 days to mature the female..A Big Max needs on average 120days. Tomatoes 82.
I think you neighbor is full of crap...

8/1/2011 1:16:57 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I have had some Jack B Little miniatures go from seed to having a pollinated female in a month or maybe a little more when about 3 feet long. I don't see this as possible with a larger variety.

8/1/2011 1:28:23 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Sounds like somebody's drinking the compot tea.

8/1/2011 2:14:36 PM

Nope- I swear- I watched him plant, because I didn't believe him last year- It was the 28th of June (marked on calendar. He just planted more yesterday. I am dead serious and would just like to know what is causing it. Even if he had planted as early as we can where I am at it would of only been around 60 days. Something is going on and think it is the chicken nitrogen.

8/1/2011 3:19:58 PM

Pataskala,OH

Pictures?

8/1/2011 3:29:04 PM

I can get a picture. It's just a 10-15# pumpkin- People will say it is an old photo. I swear it happened and just was wondering if anyone had heard of this. By what I am reading, know one has nor am I being taken serious.

8/1/2011 3:33:50 PM

Lexington, Ky

"By what I am reading, know one has nor am I being taken serious"

What's the big deal even if it's true? Guiness, Talk Shows, State Record, Chicken Poop sales? I'm not sure that the pumpkin world is turned upside down by extreme early maturing, especially when the result is a 10 to 15 pound pumpkin. I guess it's possible though, not saying I don't believe you or him, it just doesn't matter that much...

8/1/2011 4:18:15 PM

No big deal, just never saw this and told a friend I would ask on this site. Must have be kinda big deal since you felt obliged to try and be funny--- If anybody has an answer I would appreciate it. BTW- I do find it fascinating that a pumpkin of any size can be grown in 30 days from seed and believe other's would be interested as well.

8/1/2011 9:35:36 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

It is by far an unusual growth cycle, but then again we've had unusual weather patterns this year. From what I've read on here chicken poop is powerfull stuff. Probably a unique combination of the weather and soil conditions. That soil test should shead some light on what is going on. BSD, David

8/1/2011 11:29:54 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

BSD, sorta leads us to new ?'s...soil test results, or tissue test results available? are any available? Peace, Wayne
PS...these results might help those that set an AG late in the season!?!?

8/2/2011 3:00:57 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

A C maxima can not produce a mature pumpkin from a seed in 30 days....They require 120 on average...if it was possible the seed companies would have already marketed this...commercial growers would be planting them 3 times a season

8/2/2011 7:20:19 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

The fastest I had one mature was my first year growing store bought seeds. I planted directly in the patch late May when I normally plant field pumpkins. By late June ihadn't sprouted. weeds were taking over so I tilled over it. By July 4 it sprouted. By Labor Day the cucumber beetles had pretty much wiped out the plant and it stopped growing. By the first saturday in October the pumpkin was still in good shape and weighed 176#.

8/2/2011 8:37:23 AM

Wayne, I have recommended him getting a soil test done. I bet the nitrogen level's are real high. I am thinking about giving him a few seeds and seeing what that yard will produce in 2 month's- Take care and thanks Big Show, Wayne and Iowegian for the comments

8/2/2011 8:41:56 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Just because the pumpkins are turning orange does not mean that they are mature and done growing. If you look at this link, the pumpkin was around 300-400 lbs and orange...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=143232

It kept growing and ended up over 800 lbs.....

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=146268

So, while I wont go as far and say your neigbour is smoking something or full of crap.....his big max pumpkins are most likely just orange and not ripe or mature.

8/2/2011 12:25:12 PM

Pumpkin, from stem to end looks and feels ripened to me. Regadless, I think it is pretty cool and just wanted other's opinions. Thx and any helpful thoughts would be appreciated.

8/3/2011 8:28:00 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I also have a bridge in New York that i'm selling.....no way no how does any type of pumpkin mature in 30 days. Commercial growers would be all over that and the price of pumpkins would drop. Due to the rapid easy growth a farmer could grow a few crops a year. I think your friend is full of it. No way no how,nature is smarter then that! Lol!! Thats rich!! Lol! Thirty day old pumpkins! Lmao!! Are you interested in a bridge from staten island to the other areas of THE CITY...LOL

8/8/2011 12:20:57 AM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

Kenny, how much do you want for the bridge? Do you have a picture of it on Craigslist? Can I pay for it first and then if I have any problems with it we'll resolve them later.

8/8/2011 1:18:15 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Yes money up front. I also have some magic beans for sale. Another guy Jack wants to buy them so you better hurry up.

8/8/2011 10:14:03 AM

Thanks for not answering the question Kenny, mister 50 # a day-

8/8/2011 10:43:00 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

You have no Question....You have a statement in which we have said is impossible. You claim a plant that normally take 120 days to mature is doing so in 30. Add up the days. Germination 2-3 So in your scenario ten days later you have viable females. When we are normally just getting the main vine down and running. Then 15 days later you have 10 to 15 lb fruit on a plant that has to be undersized. Even a well fed Atlantic Giant that is 400 SQ feet takes 10-12 days to get 15 lbs.

If his nitrogen was real high it would tie up the other nutrients. All he would have is green plant.

Until you show me a picture of the seed being placed in the ground and 30 days later the same plant with mature fruit. I and the rest of the pumpkin growers will say BS.

8/8/2011 1:24:03 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Newpumpkingrower, your name fits you. Its a proven fact that Atlantic giants can grow 50 lbs. A day during the rapid growth phase. People here on this board have given their opinions. The general thought has been you're off a bit on your time the seeds hit the ground. Rather then say your full of bull flaps people actually gave you the benafit of the doubt as far as your time is concerned. You where given advice and steps to follow to prove, research, validate your claim as to the mythical pumpkins. You chose to continue to argue rather then choose to gather evidence to back your claim. Now you get mad and further put your foot in your mouth. If your looking for an answer to your question it would be.......there's no way what your saying is even the slightest bit possible. Not only that it doesn't seem credible. SORRY BUDDY..It just doesn't seem to match up. I would really like for it to be true. Sorry to tell you its impossible. Just like other people have been telling you. Yet you continue to stand by your claim and offer nothing in the way of anything documented or scientific. Good luck bro, I hope we get to see some of these pumpkins......maybe i'll take a trip to fantasy land!!! Lol!

8/8/2011 5:48:35 PM