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Home of happy lil plants

How many 1000 plus pound pumpkins have been grown in the south?

What does everyone believe the limit it is?

And finally is there no limit for southern growers compared to colder climates? I am beginning to wonder

11/27/2012 12:42:31 PM

Nicholls Georgia

ga rec is 1252 lbs i think its just theres not as many growers in the south as there are up north but i think the ones that are in the south have learned from each other and you will see the weighs rise im going to try some new things this year to help keep my plants cooler

11/27/2012 2:51:59 PM

Hot West Tennessee

My opinion though novice. No matter what one does , a pumpkin plant with its leaf structure prefers below 90 degree temps. In the south our high temps along with high humity levels the odds decrease .Take this year in the mid west and other areas sucess rates were down. Hec Kentucky growers had a off year. What they experienced was a tipacle year down here. Sure 1000 - 1300 are within reach. But 15, 16 even 1700 probably not. Just my 2 cents.

11/30/2012 7:17:50 PM

Piqua, Ohio

I've seen a few over 1000 out of Kentucky

11/30/2012 8:09:39 PM

Hot West Tennessee

I think Spence is talking about hotter climate. Zone 7 and up. Eastern Kentucky has same climate as southern Ohio. http://www.garden.org/zipzone/index.php?img=seusa

11/30/2012 8:20:20 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Look at all the humungus pumpkins grown in Pennsylvania, it's hard to believe that a dispute line could make a difference in weight. The deep south are at a big disadvantage, but there is no reason why a monster cannot be grown in Kentucky, WV or Virginia. I think Lee hit the nail on the head.

11/30/2012 9:13:03 PM

Hot West Tennessee

Go Spence and Lee may state records be in our near future!

11/30/2012 9:25:17 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

Were Theres a will theres away.

11/30/2012 9:34:46 PM

Long Island,New York

Long Island NY zone 7..........

11/30/2012 9:55:54 PM

Home of happy lil plants

I was really refferring to zone 7 and up ....7b is where I am located.
Trent who is in the same growing area as me had one at 885lbs this year and one even larger at 1000pounds even after it started leaking due to a mouse getting iside of it.
30% shade cloth was left up 24hrs a day.

He achieved all this in his first competetive attempt year(non general ag variety seed and through knowledge here on bp.com). Although he has much crop experience, I feel he and even others can grow much larger than even this.

On that note I have a whole lot of free time this coming year 45x100 shade cloth and a plan.

The amount of growers in the south just arent to the same extent here in the south.

11/30/2012 10:48:13 PM

Home of happy lil plants

I typoed the last sentece, Basically there are atleast 10 growers in a cooler climate for every 1 grower here in the south as a guess

11/30/2012 10:53:53 PM

Hot West Tennessee

Shade cloth , drip tape , no tornadoes, max temps under 92 with night temps near 65 low humidity. No powdery mildew not working 6 days a week. Half the battle is won.

11/30/2012 11:31:59 PM

Home of happy lil plants

I didn't even mention we had a streek of 10 days straight this year about 98 with I know for a fact cullman,al saw three extreme days in a row at 102 104 and 102.

12/1/2012 12:04:52 AM

Piqua, Ohio

TNorange, his post says south of the mason dixon, the mason dixon line runs through Indiana, I've also seen some come from that part too!! Frank and Tina Finders may be able to help, they've grown some nice pumpkins.

12/1/2012 9:01:28 AM

Lexington, Ky

Aren't growing zones based on first/last frost dates? I don't think they take into account sun angle, sun duration, humidity and long runs of temps in the upper 90's......

The zones don't know that Eastern Kentucky geographically is made up of steep ravines every half mile with peaks well into the 1,500 foot zone. I get that PA has mountains, but to compare the two is an injustice. Some areas in Eastern Ky are lucky to have 8 hours of direct sunlight in the summer due to the "hills"....lol.

12/1/2012 9:49:12 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Another big problem you southerners face is shorter days compared to people up north in the summer. As you move up in latitude, the angle of the sun differs in the summer and daylight is extended in a gradual cline. Also, since you never have deep winters, I bet vectors for disease and insects never really die off or go dormant like they do here or further up (just my own theory).

I'd love to see a record come from the south, just like I can't wait to see Bama or Georgia put a whoopin on Notre Dame. lol

12/1/2012 9:54:44 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Here on the southern plateau, an hour drive north of Nashville, the radient temps due to the limestone that is our subsoil and topsoil at many spots will bake a plant in just a few hours! I'll not be unreallistic on my goals as it will take several years of building up my soil depth. Hoping some shade cloth can be purchased and used in key locations this next season. I think my focus will be to get those June/early July pollinations. Did manage to get one this year but lost the plant!

12/1/2012 2:44:41 PM

Hot West Tennessee

Growing zones are also guides for perennial plants. I know pumpkins are annuals. But its a only reference to show the difference in temps. I am not debating that other states don't get hot. Just saying results show as you move down each zone the average weights drop.
My main problem seems to be pollination to. I invite anybody interested, to keep different places on your listed places for comparison this next year. http://www.weather.com/weather/right-now/USTN0102:1:US

12/1/2012 11:28:33 PM

Hot West Tennessee

I know the Finders grew a nice 1164. I have learned a lot from there trials and tribulations over the last couple years. They are one of my motavitons for growing. We grow in the same conditions. I did not see were anyone comparied Ky to PA? I have worked on my red clay acid soil for a couple years. I actually prefer it not rain. My soil holds a lot of moisture. Disease is a constant battle.
Good luck BSD.

12/2/2012 12:07:17 AM