Glad I'm on the same mindset. After reviewing my soil and tissue tests again at end of last season I plan on increasing manganese and boron while adjusting some others. I also use elevated planks. My biggest plant grows inside of a 300sf spot. Last year my plant was 270sf and grew an 1156# on main and 351# on a secondary. Goal this year is to get the Idaho state record. Keep an eye out on the Utah giant pumpkin growers page. Good luck and I can't wait to see the giants you grow this year.
We are new to growing pumpkins for the fair. My son is 6 and wanted to try it this year after seeing some this year. We are located in western NC . I recently purchased him some big max pumpkin seeds from the farm store. We will grow them but I just don't think they will be anywhere near size to turn in. Can someone point me in the right direction to find a few seeds for him to try with the others. Can I purchase something that would work. Not sure where to start.
I wouldn’t waste your time on those seeds I have some wonderful seeds I could sell you if you want pretty orange pumpkins, you should buy my 450 seeds from my website worldwidegiantgrowers.com
You can grow 20 pumpkins on one plant they will all be beautiful, orange pumpkins. With store-bought seeds you never know what the bees pollinated them with. They are open pollinated commercial seeds. We cross pollinate ourselves controlled pollinations much less risky with better genetics. The pumpkins will only be 200 pounders or smaller if you grow as many as you want depending on the weather in the summer temperatures, they could get 300 pounds 400 pounds.
Great video Mark and Josiah. I grew a 500 pounder last year, I had the pumpkin set too late. It was set on the 19th of July. I had to cut it early, it wasn't even close to being done growing, if only I had 2 more months of growing season. When I cut it open, half of the seeds were un formed, and the skin was rock solid. Blossom end was over one foot thick. hoping for the best this year, already have one of the three plants in the ground, this years seedlings are the best I've ever had.
I have to say this is an excellent video of how to grow a 2000 pounder. I followed all of these steps last year and I’ll be doing them again this year!
Awesome Video! Just started my seeds around a week ago inside and using a grow light. Still trying to get my outside soil to where it needs to be as I’m still low on nitrogen and Boron. Shooting for 1000lbs. First year growing and following your channel every step! Thanks!
Latest emailed Question from Phil On terminating the main vine you have and have not in the past if you are how far from the fruit would you terminate the main vine. answer from Bubba Its not really about length its more about timing on the main vine.Only the main vine grows after the pumpkin. NO secondary's are grown. So let it go till mid September before terminating is what I like best
I was wondering if we could make it possible to largly increase per ha yield of pumpkins, to turn it into alcohol and run the cars with it. Main argument for not using alkohol for farmers vehicles in germany was too low agricultural space. Brazil is using alkohol as car-fuel for personal transport even today.
I don't disagree with letting the soil dry but wonder if pumping-air would fix wet soil issues. I'd like to see someone use a pond liner & hydroponically grow one. Having the ability to monitor & test the subsurface water while also aerating it just seems like more growth. Like a huge wicking-bed where the sump-water is managed 24hrs a day for max uptake.
@@IAmHumanJake Are you growing organically? I dont have a current supplier Ryan Cleveland uses Agrifab or something like that Frank Morse just bought some.Lets ask Frank
Think I heard some people mention they terminate the first couple secondaries near the stump. Maybe to help keep the stump cleaner and easier to keep dry. Maybe to help focus more energy on main vine growth initially. What are your thoughts on this?
Great tips and very informative! Just two questions....I’m growing in a fairly small space (about 400 sq. Ft.) and was curious if I begin terminating those secondary vines at about 10-12’ long will it harm the plant or just limit it’s intake. Also, would you say it’s possible to achieve a 1000 lb fruit in such a small area given I do everything right? Thanks from MA!
Yes that’s the theory. Also you don’t want a big pile of spaghetti you want every leaf to run into the soil so it has to have ground contact to do that but a lot of times it’s more about space how much space do you have to let them grow one plant will cover 2000 ft.² by the end of the season if you let it grow wild.
A lot of different theory's & variables but I think most gradually terminate a few vines each day after day 10 & by day 30 90% are gone .Do you have any more concerns just ask.Lots of big ones have been grow in lots of different ways.The most important thing is don't let the plant steal all the energy
@@nomanejane5766 yes mostly grown for displays prize money. Millions and millions of Field pumpkins are grown every year just for Halloween decoration. However, they are all edible.
Hey Mark, I have a 1600sf space for 2 plants and i was planning to mulch it with grass clippings to save on water because i'm on tank water and we can't afford to use too much water on pumpkin plants. But the problem is, you said that the soil surface can't be constantly wet and that's what the mulch will do. What should I do?
Nice Harley Smith name drop! A lot of good info there. Just wondering, you mentioned the importance of pH, but you never said what the ideal pH is for pumpkin growing. Thanks for the info, catch ya later!
Sure you can use any kind of moisture meter you like. I prefer my finger but some people do like electronic instruments all kinds of guys use them. It would not disqualify you if that’s what you mean
I know this is a childish question given the professional level of the information here, but are giant pumpkins suitable for pies? Could there be a fundraiser based on selling the flesh of a giant Jack O'Lantern cooked into pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving?
I imagine it could be done I know they do have pie pumpkins but I do mostly know that they add a lot of sugar and stuff to the mix to make it have flavor in the first place . Talking regular pie pumpkins. But I don’t know if you would get the same flavor? It’s a good question probably best to ask of a farm girl a farm person
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers true.. maybe a poly tunnel as well.. we get some of the highest rainfall averages in the mainland US, so constantly wet foliage is an issue as well.. always having fungal problems! Great tips in this video, though. I may not grow a 1 ton pumpkin, but think I can set a personal record at least.
Giant pumpkins typically shoot between 6.5 and 6.7 however, you’ll have less disease pressure at seven I grew most of my big pumpkins at around seven. A plant will taken more phosphorus and potassium and a pH of seven which is good for fruit development, but we most of us hover between 6.5 and seven.
Well this is my first time I grew 3 pumpkins 1 waist 12.5 pounds, the other was a little larger than a cantaloupe but the third one had a Siamese twin stuck to it and was a mutation, because the twin rotted I decided to not save the seeds after harvesting that big pumpkin because I felt like the gene was not good.
One other thing I am not sure if this was from touching the thorn like needling hairs on the pumpkin vine but my fingers have felt prickly for weeks after touching my pumpkin vine.
@@frankpumpkin2350 You have to grow them both you don’t want to waste a possible silver bullet.If you’re not going to grow and give it to me I will grow it
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers you can have on if the brandts they are big plants 4 or 5 main leaves. Just had that over water crinkled look but they are almost grown out if it i have a McCracken aswell all 20 days old big plants
keep it a secret I would grow a giant pumpkin but it's too scary, too spooky, but I'll tell you this, if safemoon ever hits 1 I'll splurge and spend a lot on the industry, it's for the industry, not for profit, It's understandable that it's not a money making endeavor, why would it be, and I just don't have the multimillions available to make it profitable for so many other people besides myself, they'd be like, well he ended up with the giant 1 [500+] and paid everyone a pretty penny, kind of a decent trade off, I'm looking to grow in a much less industrial style garden, so maybe if I keep at it, years down the road .. it's really just the cost.. so I'm going to make some virtual currencies, bsc tokens, that have to do with gardening, and I'll call one, safe pumpkin, in addition to, mower & safer mower & leaf blower among others, just thoughts in the back of my mind, safe apple, safe cortland, safe golden delicious, might be useful thank God .. all I need is safemoon to hit-a-penny wham! ;0
We stop the vines growing when they hit a desired length. This is typically 8 to 16 feet in most gardens as space is limited.Let the main vine grow down the middle of your grow space,Then secondary's grow out at 90 degrees from the MV & then get terminated when they reach the edge of the grow space or when the pumpkin hits day 20 to 30 time to TERMINATE vines
I have never dug 6 feet.Thats crazy You just need top 12 inches loose & amended if possible.Digging a pit at the stump area can be a bad thing You might create a pool that holds water & rotts the stump.
@@bigswole2133 you need to till the entire area 800 to 1000 ft.² as deep as possible. But on clay if you dig a deep hole in one spot, you will create a swimming pool will hold water and rot the plant. You may want to think about putting some drainage tiles trench and put the drainage tiles across the garden. I did that on my garden at one time. however, the roots will grow horizontally. They will take the path of least resistance. So if the top 12 inches is fertile and loose, they will follow the loose soil if they cannot break the clay.. you might be surprised they will grow through the clay. Clay is loaded with nutrients.
www.domyown.com/heritage-fungicide-p-14446.html?msclkid=340999a06e1c1d7ea72cf92d9d99fce7&(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20Professional%20Turf%20%26%20Ornamental%20(Top%20Terms)&Professional%20T%26O%20Top%20Terms%20(All%20T%26O%20Products)#gallery You don't need a pound but this is the type I use
Dilute it in one gallon of hot water, add that one gallon to a 50 gallon reservoir and then pump it through your irrigation system it'll spread very evenly.
150 gallons of water on 1200 ft.² on a hot 90 day with a plant with a huge root system. 150 in the water is not too much by any means or imagination of the word.
Give each seedling one cup of water? I would not water the entire area because you would just water the weeds. actually there’s a lot of variables. When’s the last time it rained ?how much moisture is in the soil now? When is the next rain forecast?
Glad I'm on the same mindset. After reviewing my soil and tissue tests again at end of last season I plan on increasing manganese and boron while adjusting some others. I also use elevated planks. My biggest plant grows inside of a 300sf spot. Last year my plant was 270sf and grew an 1156# on main and 351# on a secondary. Goal this year is to get the Idaho state record. Keep an eye out on the Utah giant pumpkin growers page. Good luck and I can't wait to see the giants you grow this year.
Thank you for the feedback appreciate it we’re on the same page
I really want but I'm little nervous brother
We are new to growing pumpkins for the fair. My son is 6 and wanted to try it this year after seeing some this year. We are located in western NC . I recently purchased him some big max pumpkin seeds from the farm store. We will grow them but I just don't think they will be anywhere near size to turn in. Can someone point me in the right direction to find a few seeds for him to try with the others. Can I purchase something that would work. Not sure where to start.
I wouldn’t waste your time on those seeds I have some wonderful seeds I could sell you if you want pretty orange pumpkins, you should buy my 450 seeds from my website worldwidegiantgrowers.com
You can grow 20 pumpkins on one plant they will all be beautiful, orange pumpkins. With store-bought seeds you never know what the bees pollinated them with. They are open pollinated commercial seeds. We cross pollinate ourselves controlled pollinations much less risky with better genetics. The pumpkins will only be 200 pounders or smaller if you grow as many as you want depending on the weather in the summer temperatures, they could get 300 pounds 400 pounds.
This is honestly one of the most informative videos I have watched. Thank you guys!
Thank you for watching I appreciate it
Great video Mark and Josiah. I grew a 500 pounder last year, I had the pumpkin set too late. It was set on the 19th of July. I had to cut it early, it wasn't even close to being done growing, if only I had 2 more months of growing season. When I cut it open, half of the seeds were un formed, and the skin was rock solid. Blossom end was over one foot thick. hoping for the best this year, already have one of the three plants in the ground, this years seedlings are the best I've ever had.
Sounds like your ready to ROCK ! Please ask any questions & share your grow with us here on the channel 2021 will ROCK!
I have to say this is an excellent video of how to grow a 2000 pounder. I followed all of these steps last year and I’ll be doing them again this year!
Thanks Jacob I hope you grow a world record 1 lb smaller then mine
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers Let’s do it Mark we’ll meet up in Cali and let the chips fall where they may
This was one of the best pumpkin videos I’ve seen, thank you so much!
Awesome Video! Just started my seeds around a week ago inside and using a grow light. Still trying to get my outside soil to where it needs to be as I’m still low on nitrogen and Boron. Shooting for 1000lbs. First year growing and following your channel every step! Thanks!
Thank ya very Mulch for growing with us
Wonderful video thanks for all the great tips on growing big pumpkins
You’re welcome Joey thank you for viewing your seeds are on the way
Thanks Bubba and Josiah...shooting for 1000 this season!
Awesome Please ask all your questions on this channel I check daily for questions & concerns to help you reach your goal
Can’t wait to see that grow house out of pallets!! I got my “worm”seeds and my long gourd seeds yesterday and got them started!! Thanks!!
That is awesome!
Woo Hoo Bubba's back. Good to see you back Mark. Can't wait to see this kin cave build.
Thank YOU!
Latest emailed Question from Phil On terminating the main vine you have and have not in the past if you are how far from the fruit would you terminate the main vine. answer from Bubba Its not really about length its more about timing on the main vine.Only the main vine grows after the pumpkin. NO secondary's are grown. So let it go till mid September before terminating is what I like best
It’s all theory, Try something different you might be a genius
hopefully I can grow a big one this year.
Yes hopefully you’ll get the weather the weather plays a huge role
I'm attempting to grow my first giant pumpkin this year! Great tips
Awesome thank you for sharing that with us. Have a great summer. Keep us posted.
I was wondering if we could make it possible to largly increase per ha yield of pumpkins, to turn it into alcohol and run the cars with it. Main argument for not using alkohol for farmers vehicles in germany was too low agricultural space. Brazil is using alkohol as car-fuel for personal transport even today.
@@jediineducation interesting 🧐
I don't disagree with letting the soil dry but wonder if pumping-air would fix wet soil issues. I'd like to see someone use a pond liner & hydroponically grow one. Having the ability to monitor & test the subsurface water while also aerating it just seems like more growth. Like a huge wicking-bed where the sump-water is managed 24hrs a day for max uptake.
Might work but very risky Disease spreads fast in Hydro
Total newbie here. Thanks for video
Thanks for viewing ,please ask any growing questions here I check daily & respond
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers been battling the vine bore for a few years. I'm wanting to put a screen up.
Do you have recommend anything?
@@IAmHumanJake Are you growing organically? I dont have a current supplier Ryan Cleveland uses Agrifab or something like that Frank Morse just bought some.Lets ask Frank
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers no not growing organically
Usually try organic rout 1st though.
Very helpful - thanks a lot!
You are welcome thank you for posting and growing with us
Great video 👍👍🎃
Yes Josiah 🪨!
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Good Tips Bubba. Have you started Tomato seeds Yet? 3k 10 pounder still op for grabs
Yes started “The Worm” on May 6th 3plants
Think I heard some people mention they terminate the first couple secondaries near the stump. Maybe to help keep the stump cleaner and easier to keep dry. Maybe to help focus more energy on main vine growth initially. What are your thoughts on this?
I dont I let them grow I dont prune a baby & open it to infection.Lots of different ways to roll
Great tips and very informative! Just two questions....I’m growing in a fairly small space (about 400 sq. Ft.) and was curious if I begin terminating those secondary vines at about 10-12’ long will it harm the plant or just limit it’s intake. Also, would you say it’s possible to achieve a 1000 lb fruit in such a small area given I do everything right? Thanks from MA!
You can easily hit 1000 lbs in 400 sg feet It has been done on 150 sguare feet .10 to 12 feet is perfect for secondary's
What was the systemic chemical you use to protect your pumpkin plant from the squash Vine bore?
Merit or you can Google it WP 75. Their are several brands or a generic versions it’s a wettable powder
I'm actually hearing thing i agree with
Nice 👍
So if the vines arnt terminated, more energy is going into growing the vines and not the pumpkin?
Yes that’s the theory. Also you don’t want a big pile of spaghetti you want every leaf to run into the soil so it has to have ground contact to do that but a lot of times it’s more about space how much space do you have to let them grow one plant will cover 2000 ft.² by the end of the season if you let it grow wild.
Can I get more information on cutting off the vines after the pumpkin is growing. Thanks Dennis, tar heel patriot
A lot of different theory's & variables but I think most gradually terminate a few vines each day after day 10 & by day 30 90% are gone .Do you have any more concerns just ask.Lots of big ones have been grow in lots of different ways.The most important thing is don't let the plant steal all the energy
Can you eat the giant pumpkin? Cuz I thought most of the orange pumpkins are grown for decoration 🎃
@@nomanejane5766 yes mostly grown for displays prize money. Millions and millions of Field pumpkins are grown every year just for Halloween decoration. However, they are all edible.
Hey Mark, I have a 1600sf space for 2 plants and i was planning to mulch it with grass clippings to save on water because i'm on tank water and we can't afford to use too much water on pumpkin plants. But the problem is, you said that the soil surface can't be constantly wet and that's what the mulch will do. What should I do?
Just dont keep the grass constantly wet that is your new surface .Let the grass dry out & use your finger to check your moisture level
What is it that you use for Squash boards?
Squash, vine, borer Merritt
Nice Harley Smith name drop! A lot of good info there. Just wondering, you mentioned the importance of pH, but you never said what the ideal pH is for pumpkin growing. Thanks for the info, catch ya later!
Water pH with fertilizer should be between 6 to 6.5
Great point! I shoot for 6.5
I’ve asked and asked this question but no responses from anyone… hopefully u can help. Can we use moisture meters?
Sure you can use any kind of moisture meter you like. I prefer my finger but some people do like electronic instruments all kinds of guys use them. It would not disqualify you if that’s what you mean
I know this is a childish question given the professional level of the information here, but are giant pumpkins suitable for pies? Could there be a fundraiser based on selling the flesh of a giant Jack O'Lantern cooked into pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving?
I imagine it could be done I know they do have pie pumpkins but I do mostly know that they add a lot of sugar and stuff to the mix to make it have flavor in the first place . Talking regular pie pumpkins. But I don’t know if you would get the same flavor? It’s a good question probably best to ask of a farm girl a farm person
❤
Thank you
Day ten or day 20 terminate the vines? Is this day 10 and day 20 from after planting the seed? Cuz I don't see how that's possible
That’s after Fruit is set
You’re right, that would not be possible or logical
Do you apply the merit mid June
I have some fruit tree and vegetable systemic soil drench if you want any
The fruit tree is very weak from my experience. I have some yes,but Thank you June 1 st is good time to start
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers ok
What pH is ideal? He talks about pH testing the water but doesn't say what the target is?
6.5 to 6.8 seems to be the most popular for giant pumpkins
being in Louisiana I gave up the moment he said the soil surface should stay on the dry side lol
What are you growing
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers not a giant pumpkin apparently 😬
Could always build a raised bed with Sandy soil if you have a moisture problem
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers true.. maybe a poly tunnel as well.. we get some of the highest rainfall averages in the mainland US, so constantly wet foliage is an issue as well.. always having fungal problems! Great tips in this video, though. I may not grow a 1 ton pumpkin, but think I can set a personal record at least.
@@michaelg8642 Yes I’ve used my hoop houses many times to keep three and 4 inch rain falls off my plants. Michigan is a very wet state
What pH for water is recommended?! I havent really found much defined answers on it?
Giant pumpkins typically shoot between 6.5 and 6.7 however, you’ll have less disease pressure at seven I grew most of my big pumpkins at around seven. A plant will taken more phosphorus and potassium and a pH of seven which is good for fruit development, but we most of us hover between 6.5 and seven.
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers so pretty much about the same ph for the soil?
@@tretre1692 yes I grew my 2043 pounder in a pH of 7.2 O believe that season
my biggest issue is white fly they pop up everywhere
Spray them
How do you count the gakkins, won't your water bill cost a fortune?
@@johnboyajian1689 I dont have a water bill 💵 .well 💦
We also collect rainwater I can gather 400 gallons of rainwater every time it rains a good heavy rain off my roof
Well this is my first time I grew 3 pumpkins 1 waist 12.5 pounds, the other was a little larger than a cantaloupe but the third one had a Siamese twin stuck to it and was a mutation, because the twin rotted I decided to not save the seeds after harvesting that big pumpkin because I felt like the gene was not good.
One other thing I am not sure if this was from touching the thorn like needling hairs on the pumpkin vine but my fingers have felt prickly for weeks after touching my pumpkin vine.
@@johnboyajian1689 yes probably best not to grow problem fruit pap Wallace always said don't grow problem Fruit
Im trying to make that 2000lb list
Do it Frank and we can help. Ask your questions on the videos this summer and we will get you there
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers I can't decide the tiger king 2350 is a lot bigger than the 2 brandt 2031 .. trying to decide ..
@@frankpumpkin2350 You have to grow them both you don’t want to waste a possible silver bullet.If you’re not going to grow and give it to me I will grow it
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers you can have on if the brandts they are big plants 4 or 5 main leaves. Just had that over water crinkled look but they are almost grown out if it i have a McCracken aswell all 20 days old big plants
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers I only have room for 2 plants.. 1 in each green house
keep it a secret I would grow a giant pumpkin but it's too scary, too spooky, but I'll tell you this, if safemoon ever hits 1 I'll splurge and spend a lot on the industry, it's for the industry, not for profit, It's understandable that it's not a money making endeavor, why would it be, and I just don't have the multimillions available to make it profitable for so many other people besides myself, they'd be like, well he ended up with the giant 1 [500+] and paid everyone a pretty penny, kind of a decent trade off, I'm looking to grow in a much less industrial style garden, so maybe if I keep at it, years down the road .. it's really just the cost.. so I'm going to make some virtual currencies, bsc tokens, that have to do with gardening, and I'll call one, safe pumpkin, in addition to, mower & safer mower & leaf blower among others, just thoughts in the back of my mind, safe apple, safe cortland, safe golden delicious, might be useful thank God .. all I need is safemoon to hit-a-penny wham! ;0
Sounds interesting Elliot
Is it ok to have my pumpkin on a secondary? The secondary which I am planing to have it on is stronger than the main vine.
Sure It can get just as big
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers Thank you
@@GreenThumbGardening I will Dan Fleser to contact you
What do you mean when u say "terminate the vines?"
Cut the growing points off.
We stop the vines growing when they hit a desired length. This is typically 8 to 16 feet in most gardens as space is limited.Let the main vine grow down the middle of your grow space,Then secondary's grow out at 90 degrees from the MV & then get terminated when they reach the edge of the grow space or when the pumpkin hits day 20 to 30 time to TERMINATE vines
Thank you!!
How deep do you dig the soil to place the giant pumpkin plant (main stem)?? Ive heard up to 6 feet deep from a few sources
I have never dug 6 feet.Thats crazy You just need top 12 inches loose & amended if possible.Digging a pit at the stump area can be a bad thing You might create a pool that holds water & rotts the stump.
@@Worldwidegiantgrowers ok but pumpkins have really deep roots how do they get past only 12 inches of soil? I have Virginia Red Clay 😒
@@bigswole2133 you need to till the entire area 800 to 1000 ft.² as deep as possible. But on clay if you dig a deep hole in one spot, you will create a swimming pool will hold water and rot the plant. You may want to think about putting some drainage tiles trench and put the drainage tiles across the garden. I did that on my garden at one time. however, the roots will grow horizontally. They will take the path of least resistance. So if the top 12 inches is fertile and loose, they will follow the loose soil if they cannot break the clay.. you might be surprised they will grow through the clay. Clay is loaded with nutrients.
@@bigswole2133 if you dig down 6 feet make sure you provide drainage so the water has somewhere to go
Which Heritage fungicide
www.domyown.com/heritage-fungicide-p-14446.html?msclkid=340999a06e1c1d7ea72cf92d9d99fce7&(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20Professional%20Turf%20%26%20Ornamental%20(Top%20Terms)&Professional%20T%26O%20Top%20Terms%20(All%20T%26O%20Products)#gallery
You don't need a pound but this is the type I use
What you're doing is good but according to my understanding you don't have to plant many seeds
Nope one seed for every Pumpkin that you want
Whats the best way to add boron to soil?
Dilute it in one gallon of hot water, add that one gallon to a 50 gallon reservoir and then pump it through your irrigation system it'll spread very evenly.
And remember More is not better slow & steady
how u say 150 gallons a day then say dont over water
150 gallons of water on 1200 ft.² on a hot 90 day with a plant with a huge root system. 150 in the water is not too much by any means or imagination of the word.
so i just tilled a line with a tractor and put a seed every 3 feet and they all sprouted in 3 days how much should i water it?
Give each seedling one cup of water? I would not water the entire area because you would just water the weeds. actually there’s a lot of variables. When’s the last time it rained ?how much moisture is in the soil now? When is the next rain forecast?
Are you going to thin them down to every 6 feet?
it rained hard day b4 yesterday
I'll get you 1246500 views ...
Well thank you
There's something cruel about subjecting a pumpkin to this.
lol FUNNY
Great video!
Thanks Chad 1000 is near!