Pumpkin – Big Max – Cucurbita maxima

Tender Annual This pumpkin is perfect for Halloween carving with defined ribs and nice handles. The fruit is 17″-18″ in diameter and tends to be round with rough, red-orange skin and bright, yellow-orange 3″-4″ thick flesh. As an exhibition pumpkin, it can grow to over 100 lb. It’s also good for pies and canning.

Did You Know? The preferred pumpkin for professional pumpkin contestants. To achieve maximum size, grow one pumpkin per vine and water and fertilize regularly.

Soil & Water: Pumpkins prefer loam or sandy soil high in organic matter to hold large amounts of moisture. Requires heavy and even water. Preferred soil pH is between 6.0-7.0.

Planting & Growing: Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost or sow seed directly when soil temperature reaches 70F. To begin growing earlier, use mulching plastics and row covers to warm the soil. Place a board underneath the fruit to help prevent rotting.

Harvesting & Storage: For immediate use, harvest when the skin loses its sheen. For storage, harvest pumpkins when fully mature. Cut the fruit from the vine, leaving 4″-6″ of stem. Cure for storage by setting in a warm, dry location for 1-2 weeks.

Soil Temperature: 70-90F
Planting Depth: 1/2″-1″
Germination: 6-18 Days
Height At Maturity: 18″-24″
Days To Maturity: 110-120 Days
Sun/Shade: Full Sun
Spacing After Thinning: 2′-4′
Approx Seeds per Pack: 25 Seeds