The secret of the giant pumpkins

One of his pumpkins weighs in at a proud 320 kilograms: Patrick Ressel from Estingen breeds gigantic specimens of the popular autumn messenger.

He has a very special trick so that these thrive so magnificently and are also pretty to look at.

Esting

- Patrik Ressel took part in a championship in Ludwigsburg with his record-breaking giant pumpkin.

He made it to third place.

In addition, his specimen was voted the most beautiful fruit there.

“It depends on the care,” the 31-year-old reveals his secret of success.

In the summer he looked after his pumpkin ten to 20 hours a week.

"You can only leave one fruit on the plant so that all of the energy goes into it."

In addition, the Estinger has dug the side tendrils so that roots form, which provide the pumpkin with additional water.

To prevent animals from nibbling on the fruit, he smeared it with garlic and chili paste.

One danger, however, is that the pumpkin will grow too quickly and develop cracks that could then rot.

You have to be careful.

Incoming employment

Ressel started this unusual hobby eight years ago; he actually works in logistics.

“I saw a TV report and was impressed by the size of the fruit.

And when you have seen for yourself how fast they grow, you get stuck with it. ”The Estinger read books on crop protection and nutrients, exchanged ideas with breeders around the world and soon celebrated initial successes.

“I've been at the front several times.” But he never made it onto the podium before.

He already noticed in July that this year could go well, says Ressel.

At this point the pumpkin was already a considerable size.

In the end, he harvested the largest fruit he had ever grown.

However, he still didn't expect third place.

"The top growers work differently than I do with a greenhouse and therefore have an advantage, especially in spring."

Ressel therefore preferred the beauty pageant.

“I use seeds that come from beautiful plants.” Getting that is not that easy, because many giant pumpkins are impressive because of their size - but they don't look particularly attractive.

“They are often misshapen and whitish in color.

They don't look like pumpkins. "

That he was able to celebrate successes in both categories this year surprised Ressel, but of course also delighted.

By the way: His pumpkin won't end up in the saucepan.

“It is edible, but it doesn't have that much taste.” That is why it is currently used as a decoration in the Hartl family's farm shop, in whose field it grew.

Ressel will soon remove the seeds and the record pumpkin will end up on the compost.