Pumpkins Getting REALLY Big
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The first time I wrote about the “World’s Biggest Pumpkin” for FARM SHOW was back in 1984, when a fellow named Howard Dill grew a 493-lb. pumpkin in Canada. Three years later, Norman Gallagher in Chelan, Wash., won a $10,000 prize for his 612-lb. pumpkin. Our last “biggest pumpkin” story was in 1991, when we wrote about a 12-ft. dia., 755-lb. monster grown by Gordon Thomson in Quebec. After that, there seemed to be a new world record pumpkin every year, which made the story kind of boring so I stopped paying attention.
Recently, though, I heard about a new record-breaking pumpkin, grown in Rhode Island, that weighed in at a whopping 2,261 lbs. - nearly 1,800 lbs. heavier than that first record pumpkin we wrote about in 1984. I asked contributing editor Dee Goerge to check it out. Here’s what she found.
Richard Wallace, Green, R.I., who grew the new monster, gives credit to his son, Ron Wallace, who is a 3-time world pumpkin growing champion and who was the first to break the 1-ton barrier with a 2,009-lb. pumpkin in 2012. Ron runs a business called Wallace Wow selling organic fertilizers and Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds to gardeners and giant pumpkin competitors (www.wallacewow.com; ph 401 392-1015).
To grow his giant pumpkin, Richard uses leaf compost, dehydrated chicken manure, and Mycorrhizal inoculants. Moisture meters in the soil helped add the right amount of water for maxium growth without causing disease. Plants are grown in protective enclosures for the first 3 weeks and then the vines are positioned, secured, and pruned with just one pumpkin per plant allowed to grow. Vines for a single big pumpkin require up to 1,000 sq. ft.
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Pumpkins Getting REALLY Big FARM HOME The first time I wrote about the “World’s Biggest Pumpkin” for FARM SHOW was back in 1984 when a fellow named Howard Dill grew a 493-lb pumpkin in Canada Three years later Norman Gallagher in Chelan Wash won a $10 000 prize for his 612-lb pumpkin Our last “biggest pumpkin” story was in 1991 when we wrote about a 12-ft dia 755-lb monster grown by Gordon Thomson in Quebec After that there seemed to be a new world record pumpkin every year which made the story kind of boring so I stopped paying attention Recently though I heard about a new record-breaking pumpkin grown in Rhode Island that weighed in at a whopping 2 261 lbs - nearly 1 800 lbs heavier than that first record pumpkin we wrote about in 1984 I asked contributing editor Dee Goerge to check it out Here’s what she found Richard Wallace Green R I who grew the new monster gives credit to his son Ron Wallace who is a 3-time world pumpkin growing champion and who was the first to break the 1-ton barrier with a 2 009-lb pumpkin in 2012 Ron runs a business called Wallace Wow selling organic fertilizers and Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds to gardeners and giant pumpkin competitors www wallacewow com; ph 401 392-1015 To grow his giant pumpkin Richard uses leaf compost dehydrated chicken manure and Mycorrhizal inoculants Moisture meters in the soil helped add the right amount of water for maxium growth without causing disease Plants are grown in protective enclosures for the first 3 weeks and then the vines are positioned secured and pruned with just one pumpkin per plant allowed to grow Vines for a single big pumpkin require up to 1 000 sq ft
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