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Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

I live in Virginia and I am growing Big Max pumpkins this year to see how well my soil does before tackling the Atlantic Giant next season. I have 2 plants in a 50'x35'area. They were planted from seed on May 15th and they have totally consumed the entire growing area at this time. Also I have one pumpkin that I decided to keep on one plant that I first noticed July 11th. As of yesterday (24th) it has a circumference of 57". According to the charts this makes it approximately 55-60lbs.
Is this pumpkin growing to fast to last until the end of the season or will it keep on growing?
Will one Atlantic Giant plant take up as much room as two Big Max's if planted in the same location?
Does anyone know if there is an established record for biggest Big Max pumpkin?
If not what are some of the heavy hitters you have heard of?

Thanks,
Mark Fowler

7/25/2005 2:43:46 PM

Nipomo, California

After years of growing ag's with a personal best of 700 lbs I decided to try a burpee prizewinner this year for a change of pace. My garden is 20 X 20. An ag would take up your space if it was not pruned to keep it in check. I think you could plant 2 in the space you have. Check your big max's growth periodically to see if it is growing steadily. You and I are pretty much neck and neck. As long as it's making progress dont go nuts on ferilizing. I cant help you with your other questions but wish you all the best.

7/25/2005 3:11:11 PM

Nipomo, California

Hi again Mark, hope all is still well. I asked Burpee seeds about the weights and was just emailed from them stating the biggest Prizewinner was 380 lbs, so I asked them about Big Max's and will pass that on once I hear back from them.

7/28/2005 3:14:26 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Thanks duffbeer,
Any info you can pass on will be greatly appreciated.

7/29/2005 4:21:31 PM

Nipomo, California

Well, they got back to me pretty quick with this reply, sorry we do not have records for Big Max, they did a search on google and said they found sites that said growers get them to 100 lbs. Hmmm,oh well, Go for it Mark and kick that 100 pound limits ass!!

7/29/2005 8:13:23 PM

Hayes, Virginia

Hey Mark, i have had bigmax in the 100-130lb range.
plant them every year to give way to friends & family etc.
but most seem to run in the 40-60lb range.
I have 4 AG plants and 3 bigmax plants this year.50x30 patch could handle 2 AG plants next year.
Mark after you grow a AG you will not want to grow
anything else.
I grow the bigmax just to give away.
good to see another Virginia grower.
If you can make it to the state fair this year the
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off is noon on the 24th of Sept.
hope to meet you there.(hope i have a pumpkin worth taking there).

Good luck to you.
Ed

7/30/2005 2:30:52 PM