The heaviest pumpkin, holding the current world record.
Pumpkin Atlantic Giant can grow up to 600lbs. A trailing plant wich needs room to grow. Great to make pies, or to use at Haloween for carving. The fruits can be stored for a long period of time.
Sow the Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds inside from late April, or directly outside in May, when the last chance of frost has passed in your area. Sow the seeds 2-3 cm deep in fine seed compost, and keep them at a temperature of 20 Celsius. The soil temperature should be around 15 Celsius. Sow 2 seeds per station, or in small pots, and keep the strongest seedling. Germination takes 7-14 days, depending on the soil temperature. Protect the seedlings from slugs.
Transplant the seedling into bigger pots when large enough to handle and keep them inside the greenhouse or propagator; acclimatize the plants before planting outside. Spacing: 150-250 cm between the plants. Prefers sunny location and very rich soil or feeding with fertilizer, in order for the fruit to grow big.
After 3-5 fruits are formed, the growing tips can be pinched out to encourage fruit development, ripening on the vine, and allow to cure outside. This will increase storage potential. Store the fruit at about 10 degrees Celsius.
For competition growing regular feeding is necessary. Feed the plants twice a week with rich fertilizer, and give them plenty of water, especially in dry spells. Hand pollinating may be necessary if lack of bees and other pollinating insects in your area. Take the male flower (the ones with a long flower stalk) and gently rub them into the female flowers (the ones with a tiny pumkin forming behind the flower, wich is visible even before the flower opens) wich will produce the fruit.
After the fruits have set, leave only three and then later on pick only one and remove the other two. This way the plant will put all of its energy into growing the one fruit, wich hopefully will impress your neighbours and you can win the local competition.
