SPERLI Riesenkürbis Atlantic Giant

The well-known giant pumpkin variety for competitions: Atlantic Giant needs space, sun and patience – and turns the garden into a small stage.

The story

Origins & history

Atlantic Giant belongs to the giant squash Cucurbita maxima, whose wild forms come from South America. The variety was bred in Canada and has for decades been the basis of most pumpkins weighed at competitions.

Uses

A project for a sunny spot with plenty of room: 150 cm between plants and 100 cm between rows. With pumpkin and melon compost (Kürbis & Melonen-Erde), pumpkin fertiliser (Kürbis-Dünger) and regular watering you see the plant through the summer; harvest is in September and October. Children in particular love watching the fruit grow week by week.

Meaning

In many places pumpkins are weighed in autumn, and whole villages follow the result. Behind every competition pumpkin lies a summer of care – the weigh-in is just the final full stop.

A thought for giving

A giant pumpkin only grows as large as you let it: with space, nourishment and time. A thought for everyone with big plans.

At a glance

• Contents: 1 packet for approx. 6 plants
• Botanical name: Cucurbita maxima
• Life cycle: annual
• Position: sunny
• Sow indoors: April–May
• Sow outdoors: May–July
• Harvest: September–October
• Sowing depth: 2–3 cm
• Germination temperature: 20–25 °C
• Germination time: 7–14 days
• Plant spacing: 150 cm
• Row spacing: 100 cm
• Seed type: loose seed

How to sow

1. Sow indoors in April and May: place seeds 2–3 cm deep in Jiffy pots (Jiffy-Quelltöpfe).
2. At 20–25 °C the seeds germinate in 7–14 days.
3. Direct sowing outdoors is possible from May to July.
4. Plant in full sun, 150 cm apart with 100 cm between rows; the pumpkin planting set (Kürbis-Umpflanzset) makes the start easier.

Delivery time: 1–2 weeks. Manufacturer: SPERLI GmbH. Seeds, not a plant – the image shows the original packet.

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