Twins squash world record for biggest pumpkin
Brothers Ian (left) and Stuart Paton with the giant pumpkin
Twin brothers have broken two world records for the world's largest and heaviest pumpkin.
Stuart and Ian Paton, from Lymington in Hampshire, UK have been growing giant pumpkins for over 50 years.
They said they had come close to breaking the records several times before - even surpassing them one year - but a small hole in the giant squash led to their disqualification."
But after their giant fruit weighed in at 2,819lbs (1,278kg) with a circumference of over 21ft (6,4m) at a giant vegetable weigh-off in Reading last weekend, the record was finally theirs.
"It was an amazing feeling, it's hard to describe really," said Stuart.
His brother Ian added: "I kind of had an inkling when the forklift started beeping and flashing red."
The previous heaviest pumpkin record holder was 2,749lbs (1,247kg), while the former largest was over 20.2ft (6.1m) in circumference - both grown in the US.
It is the first time the world record has been held in the UK with the weigh-in taking place at Wargrave Nursery in Reading.
The pair said they became interested in growing oversized gourds when they were 13.
The brothers said they had been "hooked" on trying to break the world record since seeing a photograph of young child sitting on a pumpkin.
The pumpkins are grown in computer-controlled greenhouses, and need about 130 gallons (492l) of water a day.
"This pumpkin's 131 days old, and it was growing 70lbs (31.7kg) a day average for about 10 or 15 days," said Stuart.
In the past, some of their giant pumpkins have been flown to feed the elephants at a zoo in New York.
This one is now on show at Sunnyfields farm near Southampton, where it will be displayed for the next few weeks.
"We would like everybody to see our pumpkin, because it inspires other people to grow, especially kids," said Stuart.
Stuart said that before he learned he had broken the records, he had already decided to retire to spend more time with his family.
"This was my last pumpkin, so it's a happy coincidence, really."
Ian, on the other hand, said he is going to carry on growing.
"I'm going to see if I can break the world record for the biggest onion as well," he added."
You can see more pictures and the original article here
If you haven't read my earlier post 'Giant Pumpkin Tribute 2025 - Part One - Ozzy the 'prince of pumpkins'' see it here
~ talking pumpkin you may like to try this recipe ~
Thai Pumpkin Soup
A low carb high fat Thai pumpkin soup for cooler days.
It’s dairy-free, too!
see recipe details here
All the best Jan
41 comments:
I saw this earlier on the internet and found it amazing. Thank you for the link to the soup. It sounds delicious.
That's one giant pumpkin!!
Dear Jan, that is a huge pumpkin 🎃 Lovely presentation of the soup.
I like pumpkin, but holt moly!
Amazing pumpkins.
REPLY TO
Sandi who wrote ...
I like pumpkin, but holt moly!
Dear Sandi
Many thanks for your comment(s).
My apologies I mistakenly deleted your second comment with the spelling correction you'd made i.e. holy moly!
All the best Jan
That is one huge pumpkin!
The soup looks tasty.
Have a happy Friday Jan.
Tina
That's a giant pumpkin. And you'd need a crane to move it. What a fun post.
Congratulations to them. That’s a lot of water each day!
Linda calabaza. gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso.
wow-zers, i would love to see these!! i have always believed kids should be taught in high school about growing their own food, growing their own garden. much of what they learn in high school will be forgotten and i have always believed life skill are more important than calculus!!
What a goal to have, growing the very heaviest pumpkin!!
I missed this story. Thanks for sharing.
Truly impressive, it leaves you speechless.
Best regards.
I grew a pumpkin - it was 2 inches in diameter. A record for me.
God bless.
Wow, it is a huge pumpkin!
The soup looks delicious.
Take care, happy Friday! Have a great weekend.
Congratulations to them, well deserved.
Wow, that's amazing. They must have to dedicate a lot of time to growing something that big, especially if it has to be blemish free.
That's quite a pumpkin! I watched a documentary once about people growing giant pumpkins and it showed one guy who made a boat from one of his. In Alaska giant cabbage contests were the thing. Happy Friday!
Astonishing, and 'just down the road' from me.
I always wonder. What do they actually do with those giant pumpkins, and why are we so obsessed with size?
Wow that's some pumpkin, amazing.. I've never grown one, could be because we're not fussy about pumpkin soup.
I have never seen this size.
...in my mind, these huge pumpkins look like squash!
Dear Jan
I admire pumpkin growers. I wish them every success in this challenging endeavor. I love pumpkin soup.
Have a nice weekend.
WOW .. a few years ago I attended a pumpkin weigh in, it was fun! It is just unbelievable that pumpkins can grow so HUGE!
That's a big pumpkin.
All I can say is wow! That is huge- Loved reading about it and love that Thai pumpkin soup recipe. Thanks
WOW that is quite a pumpkin!!!!!!
They should make a buck selling those seeds!
congrats to them..I'm sure that weighing it was a feat!! Soup looks pretty...
Wow! That is a monster pumpkin!
REPLY TO
David M. Gascoigne who said ...
I always wonder. What do they actually do with those giant pumpkins, and why are we so obsessed with size?
Hello David, many thanks for your comment and question.
The obsession with giant pumpkins stems from their impressive size and the unique challenges they pose during growth. These pumpkins, often weighing in the hundreds of pounds, require careful cultivation and management to prevent them from buckling under their own weight. The scientific process of growing giant pumpkins involves understanding the growth patterns of the Cucurbita maxima species, which is distinct from the pumpkins used for jack-o'-lanterns or pies. The growth of these pumpkins is a fascinating blend of biology and engineering, as they must transport water, sugar, and nutrients efficiently to grow large and maintain their shape. The fascination with giant pumpkins is also reflected in their use in various activities, such as pumpkin boat races and chucking competitions, which add an element of fun and competition to the growing process ... more to read on the internet!
The first competition giant pumpkins were grown by William Warnock of Ontario, Canada. His first record was 365 lb (166 kg), measured at the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair ... more to read at Wikipedia
The used pumpkins/squashes are very often used to feed zoo or farm animals, apparently pigs like them!
All the best Jan
Oh wow that is outstanding, can't get over the size of that or the weight, sounds like it is made of a lot of water :) That is neat that they got the world record on the year one of the brothers decided to retire.
Great pumpkin!!! That is *wow*
Yikes! You'd better grow that one in a space where you can let it take over!
Wow that is incredible. Good for them.
That's massive! Love pumpkin soup :-D
130 GALLONS of water per day?? I'm thinking of all the people world wide who don't have enough water....
Wow, what a gigantic pumpkin... you can hardly believe it and think of a sculpture :-)))
And yes, I love pumpkin soup... this pumpkin will fill many people up. Congratulations to the pumpkin gardeners. YES.
Hug
Una gran calabaza, yo también conseguí algunas calabazas grandes pero no tanto como esa. Besos.
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