Plants of Atlantic Giant
are huge at all stages of growth.
This information was supplied by Barbara Kincaid, Florida.
Atlantic Giant produces two types of seeds. Both types are larger than a man's thumbnail.
Some growers use only the white seeds, others prefer the thick brown seeds. They are quite imposing to look at.
Like all dicots, pumpkin seeds consist of an embryo which has two cotyledons which contain the food to get the young plant started. Once the young plant is growing the "wingspan" of the seed leaves often measure 6-9 inches across on a young AG plant. Atlantic Giant plants are giants from the very beginning.
Roger wrote: "I have a plant from Nic Welty's 379.5 that measures 8.5 X 3 in across both leaves."
As the plant matures, it is not uncommon to see vines larger in diameter than a silver dollar. The leaf stalks (petioles) are nearly waist high with leaf blades as large as an elephant's ears. The stump of the mature pumpkin plant is often the size of a man's thigh.
Like all curcurbits (cucumbers, melons, squash), each pumpkin vine has both male and female flowers. The female flowers are 8-10 inches across and sit atop female pumpkins that look like goose eggs before pollination. Growers protect the flowers from pollination by insects and hand pollinate to obtain seeds of known parentage.
My 2 acre AG field in Florida last year had 32 AG plants. That was 2700 square feet per plant. They were planted between 30-40 ft. apart in all directions in early March; by June, one could hardly distinguish one plant from another. Even though we tilled and pruned, the plants overgrew their boundaries and tangled themselves up within a matter of days.
It's difficult to behold an AG seed without wanting to plant it and see what becomes of it. Seeds are available at pumpkin meetings, weigh-offs, by e-mail and mail from experienced growers, and other sources.
Barb Kincaid, Orlando FL
You may send private e-messages to Dr. Eddleman and he will reply, usually within 24 hours.
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