saltypete Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Growing an Atlantic Giant pumpkin in Moncton,New Brunswick,Canada, that is closing in on 300 pounds that I have named "The Zeppelin". The seed, I'm fortunate to say, is from the world record smashing crazy weight pumpkin of Ron Wallace of Rhode Island @ 2009 pounds last year,whom was nice enough to send me a seed after I wrote him a nice and thoughtful letter,thank you Ron.I will post updates if anyone is interested. Rock on! ps....forgot to mention that it put on 30 pounds since yesterday..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrum Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Why do they grow so fast? (and big) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weslgarlic Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Why do they grow so fast? (and big) That's horse shit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Oh my gourd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 Why do they grow so fast? (and big) These are bred for size, and through some really dedicated growers, some records that were once thought nearly impossible (2000 pounds) have now been reached, although I don't think that record will be beat for a while. It takes a lot of work, you have no idea. Getting past 1000 pounds is a challenge that many growers have yet to meet. I surpassed that in my second year trying, and hoping to repeat that this year. The public interest locally is quite something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weslgarlic Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrum Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 These are bred for size, and through some really dedicated growers, some records that were once thought nearly impossible (2000 pounds) have now been reached, although I don't think that record will be beat for a while. It takes a lot of work, you have no idea. Getting past 1000 pounds is a challenge that many growers have yet to meet. I surpassed that in my second year trying, and hoping to repeat that this year. The public interest locally is quite something. Lifting them must pose a problem. :^) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Duck Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 These are bred for size, and through some really dedicated growers, some records that were once thought nearly impossible (2000 pounds) have now been reached, although I don't think that record will be beat for a while. It takes a lot of work, you have no idea. Getting past 1000 pounds is a challenge that many growers have yet to meet. I surpassed that in my second year trying, and hoping to repeat that this year. The public interest locally is quite something. Since they're bred for size, I assume the flavor is lacking. What do you do with them once you harvest them? Do they make good animal feed? Also, do growers in the southern U.S. have better luck growing them really big since they have a longer growing season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrum Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Nosferatu sings pretty good. :^) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted August 9, 2013 Author Share Posted August 9, 2013 Since they're bred for size, I assume the flavor is lacking. What do you do with them once you harvest them? Do they make good animal feed? Also, do growers in the southern U.S. have better luck growing them really big since they have a longer growing season? I have made a pie with the flesh once,it was okay,and it wasn't bad in any way because pumpkin pie has spices, etc that make up a lot of the taste. Most growers,who have access to more potent chemicals, especially in the States(I'm in Canada) don't eat it because of toxicity.Really hot weather is a disadvantage and a moderate growing season is better.The world record has been broken a lot in the last five years or so, and locations that come to mind are Ohio, Quebec, and Rhode Island(present record). Usually they get carved for halloween or decoration of some kind, the world record goes to New York to be put on display there, and tv shows as well. With a 2009 pound record, everything will now seem small I suppose now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 457 pounds this morning with some crazy weight gains of 39 and 43 pounds for each of the last two days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackandGold Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 How are you weighing it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Warr Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 How are you weighing it? On scales.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Now at approx. 677 pounds, this pumpkin is starting to get bloated like a Zeppelin, and I hope this one doesn't "break up". No roadies around ,only the road in the background, and if there is "time to change the road I'm on", I'm gonna need a forklift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 800 pounds. Having sex with it at night when no one is looking. Very firm. Ha Ha..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Duck Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I have made a pie with the flesh once,it was okay,and it wasn't bad in any way because pumpkin pie has spices, etc that make up a lot of the taste. Did you make a super-size pie or a standard 9 inch diameter one? Also, will the outside of your pumpkin stay that pale color or will it turn orange at some point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Pumpkins that you want to grow really big need to be shaded so the skin is nice and soft and stretchy rather than sun-baked that will crack and weep pumpkin juice that may get infected. Later in the season I let the sun shine a little more and the skin turns a little darker. Some growers grow pumpkins that are especially orange but they don't have large characteristics....yet. It is all in the breeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 1000 pounds plus and still growing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Duck Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 1000 pounds plus and still growing! Impressive! How do you keep squirrels and other little critters from gnawing on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Some growers have this problem but I have been lucky so far. It is sitting on sand which is a deterrent of sorts for underneath but it is true that animals could be attracted to it, but the walls are very thick and if you've ever had the experience to carve one this size, you would know they are very tough except for the blossom end or "bellybutton" which can be thinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chef free Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Are you injecting water into the stem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltypete Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Where do people get this idea? Have you ever seen anyone ever, giving a plant a needle. If it were true,all the pot plants would have needle tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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