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Phoenix, Az

My 7yr old boy and I have been trying to grow giant pumpkins for 5 yrs now. 2012 was the first year we actually grew a pumpkin as we live in PHX Az and it took me 4 years to figure out how early to plant. In 2012 we grew a 108lbs pumpkin with store baught seeds. The plant it grew on had diformed looking leaves. They looked like upside down umbrellas, but when the 105-110 degree days came our other 5 plants died and this plant took off like crazy. Unfortuantly I tried to save pupmkin for him until Halloween and all seeds sprouted inside the fruit. 2013 we have 2 80lbs pumkins but heat has came and we are loosing the plants. Has anyone ever heard of a heat tollarant plant and if so any idea where I could get some seeds?

6/18/2013 1:00:39 AM

Muddy Waters

Never heard of one.Kins dont like it over 90 .You would have to grow it in the shade with shade cloth & a cooling system to bring down soil temp which would reduce air temp.Keep in mind plants only need 50% of the suns to be 100% productive.It might be easier to have one shipped.You could do it if you have lots of time to invest in it.Some of the southern growers seeds maybe acclimated to the heat.

6/18/2013 7:21:22 AM

N.c.

I would be happy to give you a few 234 Condo 2012 [(1286 Hester 2010 {( 1385 Jutras X 1068 Wallace) X Self } X Self)] seeds. The plant did not flag at all until temps went over 100. Powdery mildew killed him young but the fruit made it until halloween albeit somewhat mushy. I do not personally use shade cloth but I think you may need to consider something to cut the sun. I am sure it would be cheaper to have a pumpkin shipped.

6/18/2013 8:51:20 AM

Piqua, Ohio

1807 Stelts took several weeks of 95-105 temps for me last year, try growing in a screen house! For details check out worldwidegiantgrowers.com

6/18/2013 5:37:04 PM

Phoenix, Az

I have garden shade over the top of garden, and grow sunflowers and corn on west side of garden to block direct afternoon sun. The plants I planted first week of march were polinated first week of may and fruits are already ripe. I have started some more plants every 30 days trying to see if I can find another plant that likes the heat like we had last year. Probably would be cheaper to ship one, but I wanna grow one. our 2012 pumpkin was 4 times heavier than first place pumpkin at Az state fair, and a 1/4 of staterecord. Were shooting for state record.

6/19/2013 12:00:32 AM

Phoenix, Az

Condo: I am willing to try anything as we are very new topumpkin growing and are still learning. Ill pay shipping and even for seeds if need be, and I will not forget where they came from. Probably to late to try them this year as in a couple weeks we will be lucky to see 99 degrees at night. But I am still interested.
Josh: I will look into the 1807 stelts. Any recommendations were I can look for them? I honestly know nothing about where to try to buy seeds. Everything I know about growing is learened first hand or on Google.

My email Brady@bjtrucking.com

6/19/2013 12:10:28 AM

N.c.

Your 2013 Az. State record seeds will be shipped tomorrow. So you wanna grow big? Mail off a soil sample to a lab today! Without a test you are misting into the wind. Find a lab that will do a three turn around AND test for boron. When you get the results e-mail to Pumpking. Ask Josh for seeds. Start them all. It's a dry heat where you are, nothing to worry about.

6/19/2013 9:28:38 AM

Piqua, Ohio

giantpumpkin@centurylink.net
shoot me your address and I'll get you an 1807, last spring Mark Clementz was generous enough to give me one and I'll just pay it forward. This 1807 I got from Paul Fiedler that he bought at a club auction so it's the real deal.

6/19/2013 6:43:53 PM

Winston-Salem, NC

Looks like the state record is 469 lbs. I'm new to the game but I'd think with shade and misters and following all the other normal growing practices you could reach that with the right seed. Best of luck.

7/4/2013 11:31:55 PM