1,000 lb. pumpkin?

Question

What kind of care goes into growing one of these gigantic pumpkins?

Answer 1

Lotsa water and lotsa manure and a kiss or two!

Answer 2

I remember when a local guy in Rochester IN. by the name of Townsend... grew a HUGEMONGOUS Pumpkin every year and when I asked him how he did it, he told me he always saved seeds from previous pumpkins but that the main thing he thought attributed to the giganticasauras size was the fact that he watered his Pumpkin with dated milk. All the milk that expired from his store was dumped on his pumpkin during growth and then I started thinking... WOW his pumpkins were on hormones. LOL
Milk...is one of the top foods that cause allergies effecting millions annually,
Milk...is high in saturated fat and cholesterol -- two things we know increase the risk of heart disease.
Milk...is not only unnecessary for a healthy diet, it's also overpromoted.
Milk... Comes from Mad cows that don't know they are mad yet.
Milk... Grows one helluva a kickass gigantic pumkin!!!

Answer 3

Genetics and culture. Not every pumpkin can reach these huge sizes. Over the decades competitive growers have bred several pumpkin lines to grow to these massive size.

The second part is culture/climate. Thru extraordinary soil type, nutrients, climate, water the squash "becomes all it can be."

As any farmer or gardener will tell you, it's not just some chemical in a bag, plants need excellent soil, proper cultivation techniques, Mother Nature's cooperation, and luck.

Answer 4

You need the right variety. 'Dill's Atlantic Giant' has set many world;
also 'Prizewinner', 'Big Max', or 'Big Moon' .

Allow enough time to grow pumpkins before frost. Start early. "The more competitive growers start their seeds inside and have them ready for transplanting when the plant is in the three-leaf stage," says Howard Dill of Nova Scotia, breeder of 'Dill's Atlantic Giant,' a variety that's produced many world record holders. But don't start them too early, Dill warns, "because the plant may become spindly and have a weak root structure." Also, bear in mind that "transplanting can stunt pumpkin seedlings' growth." Even under the best conditions, it may take up to two weeks before a transplant finally root in and starts growing.
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-16-164,00.html

Some have transplanted seedlings a month before the last frost, using a temporary cold frame or a temporary home-made greenhouse/tent made of clear plastic. Others even add a heat source.
http://www.plantideas.com/pumpkin/secert.html
Use a dark plastic sheet on the ground to keep the soil warm & bugs out.

Give them plenty of room to spread out—25 feet from each other. They are vigorous growers and heavy feeders, and good soil is important. Enrich your planting bed with aged cow manure. Horse manure has a lot of seeds, but can be used if composted first.

Of the 125 to 130 days it takes to grow a giant pumpkin, "the first 60 are very important," Dill says. "That's when the plant extends itself, flowers begin to appear and the fruit begins to form." To achieve record size pumpkins, you must select one or two of the first few on the vine (typically those with the best shape) and remove the others. Also, pinch off any that form later.

During the second 60 days, the fruit may grow 8 to 20 pounds per day. To fuel that growth, "organic gardeners can feed with manure tea or compost tea after the fruit is set," Dill says. Weekly feeding is essential for growing giant pumpkins. Early season fertilizing and consistent watering is recommend to provide superior plant growth prior to pollination.

Your pumpkin has to grow at a good steady rate. Do everything you can to protect its leaves from too much wind, because they supply nutrients to the stem of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin leaves need lots of sun, but direct sunlight on the pumpkin itself will harden its outer skin, limiting its growth. You can construct a shade out of burlap or other lightweight material.

Temperature is important, too. Daytime highs around 80 to 90 degrees F are ideal for growing giant pumpkins.
Water it, regularly, daily even
Feed it: composted cow manure or compost tea, weekly.

Good Luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 5

My goodness go with Angels book.

Answer 6

saw one on the news they said it took 500 gals of water a month to water it,

Answer 7

I would go with Angel's response as well.