If you ask 10 competitive pumpkin growers how to grow a giant pumpkin, you're likely to get 10 different answers. It seems everyone has his or her own way of coaxing the most weight out of these giants. Pumpkins are large consumers of all the major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), as well as many minor nutrients like calcium and magnesium and other trace elements. The key for big growth is soil well amended with organic matter. Cow and horse manures are best. With similar growth requirements to the Giant Watermelon, you can choose the best pumpkin as it emerges on your vine and discard the remainder An average vine will have 8-9 Pumpkins per set. Also coach the pumpkin to lay at right angles to the vine, again its weight (average is 400 lbs / 180kgs) can tear away from the vine if not monitored
Giant Pumpkin (Atlantic Pumpkin)
- Reposition Set Pumpkins
Once a pumpkin has set, its position on the vine becomes extremely important. Most often the stem grows at a very acute angle to the vine. However, for optimal long-term growth, the best position is to have the stem perpendicular to the vine. If yours is not at right angles to the vine naturally, coax it gradually, over about a week's time, until it is in that position. Be careful, because at this early stage pumpkins may still abort or you may injure the fragile stem.
- Reposition Set Pumpkins