How can I add 200 pounds to a giant pumpkin in less than 60 days?

Question

I'm growing a giant pumpkin for a festival near my home but I had a bad time getting them started. My pumpkin only weighs around 16 pounds. How can I put on an extra 200-300 pounds by the second weekend in september?

Answer 1

Forget it unless you fill it with lead shot.

Answer 2

I guess my first question is what variety of pumpkin are you using?  If you have a Dill's Atlantic Giant, you have a chance.  If you have any other variety, you don't have any chance at all.

Assuming that you are growing an Atlantic Giant, here are some tricks to help your pumpkin grow:

--PRUNE VINES. Begin pruning vines early in the season to discourage random growth and an out-of-control patch. Prune each main vine when it has reached 10 to 12 feet beyond a set fruit. If you have a pumpkin on a vine that is 10 feet from the main root, cut the end of that vine once it is 20 to 24 feet long. Let side shoots off the main vines get no longer than eight feet before cutting off tips. Train side shoots so they are perpendicular to the main vine to accommodate access to the vines and pumpkins. Bury the ends of cut vines to reduce water loss.

--FERTILIZE. During the growing season, most fertility needs of pumpkins can be met by applying water-soluble plant foods once or twice a week over the entire plant area. Give seedlings a fertilizer that stresses phosphorus, such as 15-30-15. Shift to a more balanced formula, such as 20-20-20, once fruits are set.

By late July, use a formula that stresses potassium, such as 15-11-29. I apply water-soluble fertilizer at the rate of one to two pounds per week per plant from fruit set until the end of the growing season. Some competitive growers will err on the side of overfertilization. But too much fertilizer can hurt more than help. If the pumpkins start growing too fast, they will literally tear themselves from the vine and explode. A very fine grower in New England told me, "Slow and easy wins the race." Remember this whenever you feel the urge to overfertilize.

--Measure your pumpkins at least weekly. Gains in circumference can average four to six inches in a 24 hour period. Measure the circumference of your pumpkins first parallel to the ground around the entire pumpkin, from blossom end to stem. Next, measure over the top in both directions: from ground to ground along the axis from stem to blossom end, then perpendicular to the stem-blossom-end axis. Add these three measurements together, then multiply by 1.9 to give an estimate of the pumpkin's weight.

Answer 3

What you are asking for is not possible. Plus the middle of September is only 30 days away.

Answer 4

you can stuff my ex into it

glad to help you with that

Answer 5

feed it milk it really works.

You take a needle and stick it in the stem of the pumpkin

also take any other blooms off the vine so the plant is only feeding the one you want to grow. Also give it lots of water about 3 to 4 times daily or a five gallon bucket twice a day

Answer 6

I think it's going to be like trying to herd cats. 200 pounds in 60 days is a tall order. First, are the pumpkins fruiting yet? If they are, pick one small pumpkin and prune the others from the vine. Next, MIRACLE GROW, MIRACLE GROW, MIRACLE GROW. The plant will continue to try to put new pumpkins on. You must remove them and only save the one fruit for the entire plant. Watch out for bugs and fungus and water well. Good luck.

Answer 7

1. Cut hole.

2. Empty contents.

3. Pour lead inside.

4. Step back and bath in the glory.