Student Article
How Big Can the World's Largest Pumpkin Get?
Predisposed (adjective): Inclined to a particular condition or outcome.
Prolonged (adjective): Extended in duration.
Phloem (noun): Tissue that transports nutrients in plants.
The science behind growing giant pumpkins is fascinating!
Giant pumpkins don't just happen
Prize-winning pumpkins are reaching incredible sizes due to careful seed selection, ample growing space, and gallons of water. The current record-holder is a 2,702-pound pumpkin grown by Stefano Cutrupi in Italy. Varieties like the Atlantic Giant are genetically predisposed to grow to enormous sizes.
Superpower! How pumpkins feed themselves
Pumpkins grow rapidly during a prolonged cell division phase, which lasts much longer than in their gourd relatives, such as cucumbers. After division, the cells expand for up to two months, resulting in larger cells than in other fruits.
When pumpkins get too big
Additionally, pumpkins have higher levels of a specialized tissue called phloem, which transports sugars to where they are needed for growth. Despite these advantages, prize growers have yet to overcome the issue of a flat base when the pumpkin becomes too heavy to maintain its shape.
© Dr. Emma Davies / Our Media
Predisposed (adjective): Inclined to a particular condition or outcome.
Prolonged (adjective): Extended in duration.
Phloem (noun): Tissue that transports nutrients in plants.