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Midway, UT

I've never met Beni or spoke with him but I wanted to congratulate him on an AMAZING season. He has obviously taken giant pumpkin growing in a whole new direction. Wasn't it just a little over two years ago the discussion was around if a one ton pumpkin can be grown. Who can't say after what Beni has done that a 3,000 pound pumpkin is in the future? He certainly has these pumpkins dialed in.

Before the naysayers start posting again, talking about green houses and potting soil they should really think about what the takeaways should be for the "average" grower. Lots of growers have grown in green houses for years and haven't done what Beni pulled off this year. They will probably call it unfair and that growers like Beni are buying the pounds. I've never found that pumpkin growing had much to do with the next guy. Fun to win an event, but most of the time it is about beating myself because I don't have anything to do with the next guy.

What Beni has done makes me think that there are adjustments I can make to what I'm doing that are within my own budget and climate that can possibly change my pumpkins for the better going forward.

I lost both of plants to yellow vine disease this year. Lost my big pumpkin last year on a split. Still have a lot of fun each year however. Sure would like for Beni to write a book about what he is doing in that patch so I can apply those techniques to my patch.

10/12/2014 1:39:03 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Very cool!

How this guy holds them together at such great weights is truly amazing!

He is,,,, dialed in!

10/12/2014 1:47:42 PM

Lakewood, CO

We'll said Jamie...

10/12/2014 3:19:22 PM

Anchorage Alaska

after listening to Beni speak at Orlando last spring ,I believe he made reference to using an EC meter soil probe to monitor his soil and fertilizing daily according to those readings ..his thinking was the plant was hungry every day ..not quite sure that was what he meant .. but I have 6 months to find out..guy is awesome

10/12/2014 5:44:41 PM

Deerfield, Michigan

Gonna have to get a C-130 to bring that one over here for display.

10/12/2014 8:42:00 PM

Belgium

only problem is that an EC-meter doesn't tell you what salt to add

10/13/2014 1:17:41 AM

East Jordan, MI

As I recall from the seminar, the biggest difference is the OM percentage that Beni grows in -- 70% WOW.

He did say that he uses EC, pH, and Moisture meter and tries to keep the readings from fluctuating. He stated that he used misting system to keep temps below 82 degrees. Consistency stops surges.

Rhonny is correct, you still have to know which fert is needed when. Beni's presentation said he uses 15-5-15 (early), and 13-5-20 (post fruit) daily to every other day (measured with EC meter to determine amount and frequency – target .2-1.0mS).

I recall he did soil testing, but I didn't write down if he did tissue testing.

He also stated that he uses liquid Mychorhizae which was something different than I had heard before.

He also used Root Shield WP in his drenches once a month. Plant health has to be a major factor especially growing in that high of OM.

10/13/2014 7:02:02 AM

Colorado

Pretty interesting stuff. To grow 3 over 2000 pounds and hold them together is quite the feat. Plus everything is over the chart.Sounds like hes got the watering and fertilizing fine tuned. He needs to grow a 300 pound field pumpkin next.Also,from his photos there wasnt a weed in the patch.

10/13/2014 12:27:50 PM

East Jordan, MI

from my notes, he used roundup for weeds, so as not to disturb roots (or the dirt which causes more weed seed to germinate)

10/13/2014 1:44:45 PM

Anchorage Alaska

I believe he also took great care , not to cut any of the tap roots near the pumpkin, he thought they were really important for the growth

10/13/2014 10:02:33 PM