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Jessie Keith
Cucurbitaceae
CUCURBITA maxima 'Atlantic Giant'
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin, Pumpkin
The massive ‘Atlantic Giant’ is known to have produced some of the world's largest pumpkins. Usually grown for size, display and competition, the fruits of this heirloom winter squash have sometimes approached 1000 pounds (455 kg), but 400-500 pound (180-225 kg) specimens are much more common. The fruits are rounded to broadly obese and almost lumpy, with light orange to orange-yellow rinds and thick, golden flesh that is also good for cooking. They ripen approximately 120 days from sowing.
Cultivated since ancient times by Native Americans, pumpkins and winter squash are warm season, annual vines originating from tropical South America. Rounded, orange types such as 'Atlantic Giant' are often called pumpkins, though true pumpkins are of the species Cucurbita pepo. The vining, rambling stems of these plants bear large, golden yellow, trumpet shaped blossoms. Both male and female flowers appear on the same plant, and are pollinated by bees. The male flowers appear first, followed by the female flowers which can be recognized by the distinctive, bulbous ovaries at their bases. Following pollination, the female flowers develop into fruits; these are often masked by the plant’s huge, bristly, lobed leaves.
Sow the seeds of winter squash directly in mounds of rich, light, well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. Full sun is required for successful flowering and fruiting. To reduce the risk of fungal problems, avoid unnecessary wetting of vine stems and leaves. Monitor closely for leaf bugs and beetles, and for stem borers at the bases of the vines. As fruits mature in autumn, deer, birds and rodents may browse them, so protect as needed. Harvest before heavy frosts when the vines begin to brown and die and the rind is firm solid in color. Cut from the vine leaving a short stem, and bring a friend or three to help with the lifting. Take care not to cut or bruise fruits and store them in a cool, dry location, leaving space between for air circulation which discourages the spread of mold.
12 - 1
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m
3'-20' / 0.9m - 6.1m
Indeterminate
South America
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam
Very Fast
Average Water
Prostrate/Trailing
Summer, Fall
Showy
Yellow, Gold
Yellow, Orange
Green, Light Green
Green, Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Coarse
Matte
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
Birds
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