Size matters: where did the world's largest pumpkin grow?

Probably, there is no person in the world who is not familiar with the magical story of Cinderella. And everyone knows the role that the pumpkin played in the fate of the orphan, who became a happy princess. Enough of a small amount of magic - and the usual vegetable turned into a luxurious coach. Today, instead of magic, fertilizers are used to grow a real giant.

Pumpkin Champions

The world's first pumpkin record was set by William Warnock. In 1900, he was able to grow a fruit weighing 181 kilograms. Four years later, William Warnock broke his own record, having grown a pumpkin 1.5 kilograms heavier. To bypass the leader of the farmer's art was possible only in 1976. Bob Ford presented a pumpkin weighing 204 kilograms to the audience and the jury. Already after four years in the pumpkin competition a new leader appeared - Howard Dill. Two years in a row, the fruits grown by the farmer became the winners of the exhibitions. In 1980, the world's largest pumpkin weighed 208 kilograms, and a year later the same farmer appeared on the exhibition with a fruit 15 kilos more!

However, this record was short-lived. Three years later, Howard Dill bypassed Norm Gallagher. The result of his labors was a fruit weighing 277 kilograms. The palm of the championship in 1986 was won by Robert Genkens. Tykvina, represented by him, weighed 304 kg. Three years later Gordon Thomson was able to grow a pumpkin by 38 kg more. But this figure did not become the final world record. Three hundred and seventy kilograms weighed a 1990 pumpkin-record holder. And in 1993 there was a new achievement - a fruit weighing 400 kg! By 2012, pumpkin-monsters weighed already more than a ton! Among the leaders are Ron Wallace and Tim Matheson. However, the title of "Pumpkin Pope" was entrusted to the Swiss Benny Mayer. The largest pumpkin in the world at the end of 2014 weighs more than 1000 kilograms.

Beni Meyer: how did the gardener become a pumpkin king?

In 2014, 15 farmers from Italy, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries gathered in German Ludwigsburg. Delivery of huge pumpkins required a lot of effort - tractors, a crane and several tens of loaders helped to transport giant fruits. Each pumpkin was carefully checked and weighed on special scales. A resident of the commune of Pfuhgen, the canton of Zurich, repeatedly presented to the universal court gourds of gigantic proportions. The Swiss vegetable grower three times became the champion of the unique championship. Therefore, his victory did not surprise anyone. The first place Beni Mayer could win back in 2013 - the pumpkin, represented then, weighed about 1053 kilograms. However, the "baby" was flawed - because of the presence of a two-centimeter hole, she was disqualified. But the farmer is not one who is used to giving up. The winner weighs - the largest pumpkin in the world - 1056 kg. After the victory, Beney shared the secret of growing giants.

Miracle fertilizers or special seeds: how to grow a vegetable anomaly?

While someone writes off the active growth of the golden berries on aggressive fertilizers and poor ecology, farmers assure - the cultivation of pumpkin does not require anything supernatural. Beni Mayer admits: his pumpkins grow themselves. As a fertilizer, the gardener uses seaweed and manure. Help abundant watering and a lot of sunlight. The world's largest pumpkin was carefully selected - originally the farmer dropped 21 Atlantic Giant seeds in his greenhouse, Beni Meyer selected six of the most promising seeds from the shoots. In turn, half of these six are eliminated. And only three sprouts can become a huge fruit.

The photo of the biggest pumpkin in the world is striking: the heavyweight resembles a golden, deflated ball played by giants! By the way, seeds of giant pumpkins can be bought online. One seed will cost one hundred euros.

Edible-inedible: what to do with a giant gourd?

The flesh of a huge fruit does not differ from the flesh of small pumpkins. It is also tasty and nutritious. Due to its sweetish taste and low fiber content, the pumpkin is ideal for preparing porridges and soups. In addition, it can be preserved or used as a filling for pies. Even if your tyke vine failed to get the title "the world's largest pumpkin," do not be upset. From any pumpkin you can cook delicious dishes!