Large pumpkin fruits always make neighbors envy. In different countries, competitions are held for the largest vegetable. It is known that the record holder has exceeded the ton mark. However, the size does not affect either keeping quality or taste. Today we'll talk about how you can grow a huge pumpkin on your own plot.
Variety selection
When I set out to grow a huge pumpkin, I began to be interested in varieties that give large fruits. I found the three most productive ones - Titan, Big Max and Atlas. If properly cared for, the pumpkin can grow up to 150 kilograms.
The process of growing a large pumpkin
I plant pumpkin seeds in the soil when the temperature reaches + 10-12 ° C. I check it with a thermometer in 10 centimeters of the top layer of the soil. If the soil has warmed up, then I begin planting work.
How to prepare seeds
A good harvest will only come from high-quality seed material. They must be heavy. I select not by size, as many do, but by weight. Then I heat them for about two hours at a temperature of + 50-60 ° C. Next, I dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate (it should be pale pink) and immerse the seeds there for 12 hours. There is one more trick: to make it easier for the sprout to break through the shell, I use a solution of wood ash (2 tablespoons of ash per liter of boiling water). I moisten the cheesecloth, folded in several layers, and wrap the seeds in it for another 12 hours. You can sow.
Soil preparation
During the autumn digging, I bring in a large amount of manure, potash and phosphorus fertilizers. They will help increase yields and plant disease resistance. In the garden, I mark the places where pumpkins will grow in advance in the spring. Before planting, I pour three liters of warm water into each hole and plant three seeds at an equal distance from each other and to a depth of 3-4 centimeters. I sprinkle the plantings with earth or compost. If it is cold at night at this time, I cover the bed with foil. I stop insulating when the bush has a couple of real leaves.
Pumpkin care
The lash must be pinched when you see that fruits with a diameter of about 10 centimeters have appeared. I leave 5-6 leaves over each ovary. To ensure that all the pumpkins have enough food, two pumpkins grow on the main whip and one on the side ones. In anticipation of flowering, the culture is often and abundantly watered with warm water, having previously loosened the soil. After the fruits appear, I reduce the frequency of moistening and begin to apply fertilizers. I do this three times a month. I use a solution of urea and wood ash. When the fruits grow a little, I definitely put cardboard between them and the ground - this will prevent the pumpkin from contacting the ground, and the fruit will not start to rot.
Harvesting
If the pumpkin is ready, the stalk will give a signal. It will become dry and hard, and the leaves will begin to turn yellow and die off. Harvest time should also be calculated with an eye on the variety. The fruit can ripen both in late summer and mid-autumn. I cut the pumpkin from the lash with a sharp tool: a pruner or a knife. I cleanse the fruit of earth and dry land. I have pumpkins for several months in a warm shed, the main thing is to regularly examine the fruits for damage.
A few more secrets to grow a large pumpkin without nitrates
- Culture needs a solid area for growth and development. I leave at least 2 square meters of land for each bush.
- My garden bed is in a sunny place, the pumpkin loves warmth and light.
- When ovaries appear, carefully monitor their size, as soon as you notice the largest, remove the rest without regret.
- When the pumpkin is large enough, move the fruit regularly so that it does not press on the stem of the bush.
Conclusion
Huge pumpkins are a gardener's dream, in order to get an excellent harvest, properly process the seeds, and then set aside a place and time to care for the bush. Growing a pumpkin is not difficult, the main thing is to make a little effort, and everything will work out.
Read also: Cucumber leaves turn yellow - how to fight?
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