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GROVE GARDEN
CENTER 860-669-6757 |
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How to Grow Giant Pumpkins |
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There are a number of varieties of Giant Pumpkins, Listed are a few of them: Atlantic
Giant
(most true giants come from this variety) Days to Maturity: 120 to 150 days Propagation They can be started in doors, or directly sown into the garden. Carefully transplant them into the garden as soon as soil warms. To maximize germination: 1. File edges of seed except the pointed end. 2. Soak in warm water hour or two. 3. Fill deep peat pots with seed starter mix 4. Plant seeds 1 – 2 inches deep ( either flat or the pointed end down 5. Water thoroughly 6. Place in warm spot or use germination mat – once seed sprouts stop bottom heat if using. 7. Sprouting should take a week to ten days. 8. Place in a window with southern exposure 9. Provide water every couple of days – do not let soil dry out – 10. Fertilize with liquid fertilizer ½ strength 11. When roots are coming out of bottom, time to transplant out side, weather permitting , hardening off first. Growing Tips & Tricks Growing large pumpkins: Seeds – Soil – Sunshine - Water 1. There are 100 or more leaves to each vine – each leaf is responsible for up to four pounds of weight in each pumpkin. 2. Precautions must be taken so as the fruit will not tear away from the vine. 3. Gently train vines away from the pumpkin 4. When two or three fruits on each plant reach the size of softballs remove all but the promising one and prune the plants. 5. When primary vine reaches twenty feet – pinch off tips and side shoots 6. Break off all female flowers 7. By mid August plants are pulling in water and nutrients at a great rate 8. Nighttime is when they are growing – most expand two inches in circumference 9. Dry season – give each plant fifteen to twenty gallons of water twice a week 10. Water only base of plants to reduce the risk of disease. |
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