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My neighbor has grown Big Max's the past two years and they have matured amazingly fast. He planted (from seed) on June 28th and now has a small (10-15#'s) but ripe Big Max. That's 30 days from seed to maturity. What could cause this? Too much nitrogen? He doesn't do anything to his patch and even his jack be littles are ripened and his sunflowers and tomatoes are maturing after 30 days. He found out the previous owners had a chicken coop where he plants and there was also a dog in that same area? Any idea's? I told him this would be the best bet to find an answer. Thanks everyone in advance and just think if there was some way to harness his section of garden and extend the growth period, wow!

8/1/2011 9:40:50 AM

Midwest

Exposure to the Sun and high Potassium (K). Not always environmental factors but could be a genetic trait.

8/2/2011 1:49:30 AM

Pretty amazing whatever it is

8/2/2011 8:43:44 AM

Tinykinville

reluctant to comment but no way npg, plus why on earth would they wait till late june, think you may be month off, but at any rate high heat is the reason for early maturation.

8/3/2011 3:47:00 AM

Because he is not a gardener and counted 120 0days from plant time to Halloween. I am done being called a liar---- It is what it is and unless you have something positive to add I would appreciate it if you just kept comments to yourselves.

8/3/2011 8:40:48 AM

Lexington, Ky

Sometimes finding answers requires negative comments. You can't expect to throw up something that is otherwise unheard of and expect to be greeted with open arms. This site isn't grade school where we all hug and everyone wins. You asked for opinions and you received them. Inasmuch as you'd like the replys to support your claim in a positive manner, it just doesn't happen here. Some serious "corporate" knowledge regarding pumpkin growing exsists here and quite honestly, you're lucky it's the middle of the growing season as most of the "negative" repliers hardly give this site a thought. Repost this topic in December and you'd really get your feelings hurt.

Of all the replies, I can't say that anyone called you a liar, not at all. I think what we're collectively saying is extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. It's likely that your neighbor is the only one in the world that's had this experience...do you really blame us?!

8/3/2011 12:46:00 PM

That is just ridiculous. I was mostly talking about your post and a few others made in the general forum. Nonetheless; the proof is in that I know how long it took. I never asked anyone to tell me if this is possible. I just asked if anyone new what would cause it. I could care less about negative comments, other than they hinder the chances of someone giving me an answer to the original question. Not whether it happened or not. BTW this is what 1320 posted on the general form- "By what I am reading, know one has nor am I being taken serious"
What's the big deal even if it's true? Guiness, Talk Shows, State Record, Chicken Poop sales? I'm not sure that the pumpkin world is turned upside down by extreme early maturing, especially when the result is a 10 to 15 pound pumpkin. I guess it's possible though, not saying I don't believe you or him, it just doesn't matter that much..."

Very helpful-

8/3/2011 3:43:24 PM

Lexington, Ky

Alright, I'll try to be more helpful, sorry about the negative stuff. OK, your neighbor has tomatoes and sunflowers that ripen in 30 days as well, does this mean from seed to harvest, transplant to harvest or pollination to harvest and do you know the variety(s) that he grows?

8/4/2011 9:18:28 AM

Sunflowers yes from seed, tomatoes no. They were early girl tomatoes and a multihead sunflower that he said the package said 80-90 days. I just found the whole thing interesting and thought that perhaps this could help out late season growers in the future if we came to a conclusion. Take care and apology accepted and accept mine for the quick snap to judgement..

8/4/2011 1:42:49 PM

Lexington, Ky

I'm guessing the 80-90 days means from planting until seed harvest? I have sunflowers that will have flowers in a relative short amount of time but the seeds take forever to mature. I don't have experience with the Early Girls but 30 days to ripe is fast! Must be the nitro. How long ago was the chicken coop there? Obviously the poop has composted and is doing it's job. Would be good to see a soil sample report from his garden, I'd say the nutrients are off the charts.

8/4/2011 2:55:50 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Wowzer's...I am confused...first post states He planted (from seed) on June 28th... now has a small (10-15#'s)(small, twice the world record???) but ripe Big Max.Posted on 8/1?? 10 to 15 #'s lbs? really? (small?)& ripe? Really? June 28 to Aug 1 is a lil more than 30 days!!! Best of luck & hope that you & yer neighbor grow giants!!! BTW, 1320...I agree Way off the charts!!! Peace, Wayne

8/4/2011 11:23:08 PM

Wayne, Big Max would be a pumpkin, not a tomato.

8/5/2011 8:15:52 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Do not ask questions if you don't want answers. Like I stated on the General Forum it is not possible...There is No Answer. We have asked for pictures..none provided. Can I ask how old you are?

8/5/2011 1:29:27 PM

Do not answer questions with I don't believe you. You never attempted to give me an answer to my question. I never asked if it was possible. I know it is and don't need to prove that to anyone- Not going to send out a picture that you will call an old photo. Too smart for that. I am dropping arguing about this and if anyone with an actual answer has one, please post---- What the hell does it matter what age I am? What size shoe do you wear?

8/5/2011 3:03:16 PM

One more thing, if you told most people that an 1800 pound pumpkin was grown. They would laugh and call you a liar too. Think about it, how ironic, in a hobby that breaks all the rules of commonality (look it up) you are completely shutting out the possibility of a 30 day pumpkin-

8/5/2011 3:07:38 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

NPG, where around is your location (city or state)? I am curious about the climate.

8/5/2011 4:27:01 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Atlantic Giant pumpkins have been gradually getting bigger and bigger each year, which makes it possible and believable that an 1,800 pounder was grown. It has never before been genetically possible for any variety of pumpkin or cucurbit to mature in less than 60 days from seed, let alone 30. Never before has that happened that anyone has ever heard of, that is why people need some proof. If it really, really happened and you can figure out why, you might be responsible for a huge scientific discovery.

8/5/2011 11:10:05 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Personally I don't believe the facts are correct. Doesnt seem possible to me. If you don't like the answer dont ask the question.

8/8/2011 12:07:54 AM

Once again you didn't answer the question--- If that were my question that would be ok

8/8/2011 10:31:07 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You have no question only a statement...

8/8/2011 1:30:44 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Seriously, you should be busy contacting plant scientists at the leading agricultural universities. They will want to know about this so they can study your neighbor's property to see what is causing this. Nobody here has an answer for you because it has never happened before. Then please report back to us and let us know what conclusions the scientists reach. We'd really like to know what they have to say.

8/8/2011 1:56:21 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

How does anyone answer the question your asking? Brother, I think your taking things a bit harsh. If what youre saying is actually true then you have what the people at ripleys call it. An oddity....believe it or not.....its just hard to believe such an event occured, thats all. My advice to you would be to gather as much evidence like credible people to back your claim, get tissue test done, soil tests and documentation. Submit all this to credible people and see what they say. You asked a question or stated something and you got a responce. Nothing personal its just hard to believe what your saying. I think you have the timing wrong. you asked credible people here and they gave you their honest opinion. They said its just not possible. If in fact it I then great.

8/8/2011 2:28:38 PM