Giant pumpkin question

maryinoregon · October 31, 2008

Last night I was walking by a neighbor's house. He had three giant pumpkins in the front yard and the family was carving them with small chain saws.

The neighbor said he had grown them. In fact, all three were from the same vine. All looked to me like they were in the 400 pound or over range. I have never grown giant pumpkins. Don't have the room, but I asked if I could have some seeds. The family said sure and pointed to the wheel barrow full of pulp and seeds. I filled most of a margarine tub and decided I had enough.

Seems to me that a plant that would produce three 400 pounders was pretty vigorous and the DNA should be saved.

These folks are not giant pumpkin growers normally. The neighbor I talked with got some seed from someone he knew and in fact planted only one seed. At least, that's how I understood him.

I am fermenting the fresh seed right now and was thinking of sharing with anyone who might want some, unless I can find a place to grow them locally next summer.

What do you think veteran giant pumpkin growers?

AK110682 · November 1, 2008

Oh Mary! ... I was recently thinking about trying to grow one of those big suckers next year... would love to get my hands on some seeds.. Pleaseeeeeeee

-Amber

PM sent

**Dukerdawg** · November 1, 2008

Mary, that sounds like a fun endeavor! I would love a few seeds. I'll send you a pm.

Duane

maryinoregon · November 4, 2008

As I said to Amber and Duane in PMs, I came home today and found my two plates of giant pumpkin seeds overturned on the patio and all the seeds eaten. Had all the hallmarks of squirrels. I thought my seeds were safe, but those fuzzy rodents got them. I actually like squirrels, and laughed when I first saw the plates. Then I took a better look and saw those little buggers didn't leave me one seed. I can't share them. I think I will check with the neighbor tonight and see if they saved anything, or whether the pulp and seeds have been picked up for recycling yet. If I get any more seeds, will let you know Amber and Duane. Again, I'm very sorry.

maryinoregon · December 7, 2008

I was able to get more seeds from the grower and sent out 6 seeds a piece to the three people who wanted them. I heard from Amber saying she had received the seeds. I hope Jim and Duane received their seeds.

I have no more to share. Saved 4 for myself and don't know if I have any place else I can grow them. But I'm hoping. It would be fun!

jwr6404 · December 7, 2008

Mary
I did receive the seeds. Thank You very much. You said you didn't have room for the Pumpkin would you consider seeds from my Adapazari Squash. This year i planted 6 Squash Seeds and got 6 Squash weighing 5-20-22-22-46& 54 Lbs each.
Jim

maryinoregon · December 8, 2008

Jim, I planted your Adapazari seed for summer 2008. I have not weighed any of the squash. I've been meaning to ask you about them. The largest is dark green splotched with a kind of warm pink. Are they supposed to be that way? It really is a beautiful squash. I never got it to harden off, what with our unseasonably cool summer, but it is OK so far and I've been meaning to cut it and do something with it. I have another one, slightly smaller than the largest that is green and tannish. The smallest are dark green. I had to pull the plants because I was growing them in a neighbor's garden space. I also grew the beans. I will see what I have left and may ask you for some seeds if I need them. I gave lots to other people in the hopes that they will be grown all over.

**Dukerdawg** · December 8, 2008

Mary, I did get the pumpkin seeds. I'm sorry I didn't communicate that sooner. I really appreciate them! You kindly gave me 6 seeds. Jim, if want 3 of them that would fine. I too have to find a place to plant them! Not sure where at the moment but I'll be working on it.

Let me know.

Duane

jwr6404 · December 8, 2008

Duane
Besides the Pumpkin seeds Mary sent I also received a Package,from Son In Law, of Dills Atlantic Giant so I'm overwhelmed with Giant Pumpkin seeds. If You are interested interested in the Squash I will be opening them up next month and you can have all the seeds you want. These are very large and attractive plants that we use as landscaping.

Mary
Don't hesitate asking for the Beans if you need more.

**Dukerdawg** · December 8, 2008

Thanks Jim. I guess I didn't read the part where Mary already sent you seeds. I'll look for your squash offer when you post it. Thanks again.

Duane

Hristo · December 14, 2008

Hi to all,

This may help you:
The world record pumpkin:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/pumkin.html
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArtic...?id=162&gid=50

Records by state/country:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/record.html

Not all Dill's Atlantic Giant seeds will produce real giants. If you looking for really good seeds (with known pedigree), ask here:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewBoard.asp?b=1

Hristo

maryinoregon · February 7, 2009

Thought I would boost this thread with a little news, news to me anyway.

Lowes has Dill's Atlantic Giant seeds. They come in a pack of seven seeds for I think it was a little over $2.00. So if you have a Lowes in your area, you might check it out.

justplayin123 · April 3, 2009

Hello everyone! I am new to the site. Robin303 told me about of this forum. I am finding my way around and reading ALOT!!
I do grow the AG pumpkins and have some seeds from last year that I would be happy to share. Just let me know!! They are a lot of fun to grow!

veggie babe · April 3, 2009

Welcome to TV, hope you enjoy the forum as much as I have. I bought a packet of giant pumpkin seed in a packet for the grandkids to watch grow. I have no idea what kind I bought but I think we will have fun.

I may have questions later that you can help me with. What the heck I might as well start now by asking---when do you plant your seed? Do you plant them in the ground or start them in seed trays? What fertilize do you get the best results with?

thanks,
neva

KLorentz · April 3, 2009

Here is something that will add to the fun . It is a link to the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth official site. This page will help in locating events world wide. Note they also have prizes at these events for the largest of the following. Tomato,Water Melon,Cantaloupe,Field Pumpkin , long gourd and Giant Squash.

http://www.thegreatpumpkincommonwealth.com

GL for a great harvest this year.

Kevin

October 31, 2008	#1
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Giant pumpkin question Last night I was walking by a neighbor's house. He had three giant pumpkins in the front yard and the family was carving them with small chain saws. The neighbor said he had grown them. In fact, all three were from the same vine. All looked to me like they were in the 400 pound or over range. I have never grown giant pumpkins. Don't have the room, but I asked if I could have some seeds. The family said sure and pointed to the wheel barrow full of pulp and seeds. I filled most of a margarine tub and decided I had enough. Seems to me that a plant that would produce three 400 pounders was pretty vigorous and the DNA should be saved. These folks are not giant pumpkin growers normally. The neighbor I talked with got some seed from someone he knew and in fact planted only one seed. At least, that's how I understood him. I am fermenting the fresh seed right now and was thinking of sharing with anyone who might want some, unless I can find a place to grow them locally next summer. What do you think veteran giant pumpkin growers? Last edited by maryinoregon; October 31, 2008 at 09:38 PM.

November 1, 2008	#3
Dukerdawg Growing for Market Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 861	Mary, that sounds like a fun endeavor! I would love a few seeds. I'll send you a pm. Duane __________________ May I aspire to live my life so that I may be the man my dog thinks I am.

December 7, 2008	#6
jwr6404 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: University Place, WA Posts: 481	Mary I did receive the seeds. Thank You very much. You said you didn't have room for the Pumpkin would you consider seeds from my Adapazari Squash. This year i planted 6 Squash Seeds and got 6 Squash weighing 5-20-22-22-46& 54 Lbs each. Jim __________________ Jim

December 8, 2008	#8
Dukerdawg Growing for Market Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 861	Mary, I did get the pumpkin seeds. I'm sorry I didn't communicate that sooner. I really appreciate them! You kindly gave me 6 seeds. Jim, if want 3 of them that would fine. I too have to find a place to plant them! Not sure where at the moment but I'll be working on it. Let me know. Duane __________________ May I aspire to live my life so that I may be the man my dog thinks I am.

December 8, 2008	#9
jwr6404 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: University Place, WA Posts: 481	Duane Besides the Pumpkin seeds Mary sent I also received a Package,from Son In Law, of Dills Atlantic Giant so I'm overwhelmed with Giant Pumpkin seeds. If You are interested interested in the Squash I will be opening them up next month and you can have all the seeds you want. These are very large and attractive plants that we use as landscaping. Mary Don't hesitate asking for the Beans if you need more. __________________ Jim

November 1, 2008	#2
AK110682 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 49	Oh Mary! ... I was recently thinking about trying to grow one of those big suckers next year... would love to get my hands on some seeds.. Pleaseeeeeeee -Amber PM sent

November 4, 2008	#4
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	As I said to Amber and Duane in PMs, I came home today and found my two plates of giant pumpkin seeds overturned on the patio and all the seeds eaten. Had all the hallmarks of squirrels. I thought my seeds were safe, but those fuzzy rodents got them. I actually like squirrels, and laughed when I first saw the plates. Then I took a better look and saw those little buggers didn't leave me one seed. I can't share them. I think I will check with the neighbor tonight and see if they saved anything, or whether the pulp and seeds have been picked up for recycling yet. If I get any more seeds, will let you know Amber and Duane. Again, I'm very sorry.

December 14, 2008	#11
Hristo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 23	Hi to all, This may help you: The world record pumpkin: http://www.backyardgardener.com/pumkin.html http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArtic...?id=162&gid=50 Records by state/country: http://www.backyardgardener.com/record.html Not all Dill's Atlantic Giant seeds will produce real giants. If you looking for really good seeds (with known pedigree), ask here: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewBoard.asp?b=1 Hristo

February 7, 2009	#12
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Thought I would boost this thread with a little news, news to me anyway. Lowes has Dill's Atlantic Giant seeds. They come in a pack of seven seeds for I think it was a little over $2.00. So if you have a Lowes in your area, you might check it out.

April 3, 2009	#13
justplayin123 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 10	Hello everyone! I am new to the site. Robin303 told me about of this forum. I am finding my way around and reading ALOT!! I do grow the AG pumpkins and have some seeds from last year that I would be happy to share. Just let me know!! They are a lot of fun to grow!

April 3, 2009	#14
veggie babe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: east texas Posts: 686	Welcome to TV, hope you enjoy the forum as much as I have. I bought a packet of giant pumpkin seed in a packet for the grandkids to watch grow. I have no idea what kind I bought but I think we will have fun. I may have questions later that you can help me with. What the heck I might as well start now by asking---when do you plant your seed? Do you plant them in the ground or start them in seed trays? What fertilize do you get the best results with? thanks, neva

April 3, 2009	#15
KLorentz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Stryker, Ohio Posts: 995	Here is something that will add to the fun . It is a link to the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth official site. This page will help in locating events world wide. Note they also have prizes at these events for the largest of the following. Tomato,Water Melon,Cantaloupe,Field Pumpkin , long gourd and Giant Squash. http://www.thegreatpumpkincommonwealth.com GL for a great harvest this year. Kevin Last edited by KLorentz; April 3, 2009 at 05:59 AM.