PASADENA, Calif.—Giant Pumpkin Kahuna, Stuart Shim launched his seven-month Pumpkinmania journey in Pasadena on March 21, 2010. Shim, a financial consultant by trade, was adorned with shell necklaces and orange stethoscope on top of a white medical coat monogrammed with orange letters.
Shim says his title comes from his Hawaiian roots where a Kahuna is considered the high priest. Wikipedia’s definition includes, “an expert in any profession.” Shim, also a California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, began growing giant pumpkins in 1993. This year’s pumpkin adventure includes more than a dozen workshops scheduled in Washington State, and Southern and Northern California titled “How to Grow a 500-Pound Giant Pumpkin.” Shim said it was still uncertain where and when the final weigh-off will take place, as last August he had the arrival of a new baby to his family.
Shim said it was unusual for him to hold a workshop at a private residence as he began this year’s training at the home of the 2009 winner of Pumpkinmania’s Most Experienced Grower, Mae Powell. The choice of Powell’s yard was inspiring. Attendees were greeted with a bounty of nasturtiums at the curb and a plethora of winter vegetables and fruit trees as they meandered towards the front door. From the street, one would never know that a good part of Powell’s front yard is dedicated to edible gardening.
Yes, there was a lawn and there was lettuce, or as one attendee called it, “giant lettuce” lined up like petite soldiers on the upper terrace. There were peas, kale, and Swiss chard that Powell said would remain after composting the rest of the winter vegetables in preparation for her tomatoes. And then there were the bare spots ready for her pumpkins. Last year Powell grew a 286 1/2 pound giant with some vines climbing into her fruit trees. Powell needed to create little hammocks for them.
The intimate group of attendees was directed to Powell’s patio decorated with succulents scattered like little figurines. Birds were avidly feeding outside the patio as Shim prepared for the workshop.
“Let the adventure begin,” said Shim as he started. Shim described the adventure of pumpkin growing. He started with a pinch of history, a dash of botany and added some fun into the recipe. Shim titled the series “How to Grow a 500 Pound Pumpkin,” since his attempts to grow a giant garnered a 525 pound beauty. He is still working at breaking his personal growing record which has stood for about five years, and hopes this year the large growing space at Irvine’s Great Park will help.
As for hints on growing, Shim said soil preparation is key. He also said that it is still not too late to add composted manure to the soil. According to Shim, the target date for planting is “the evening of the full moon in May.” Shim says that the sunlight reflected off the full moon helps the seeds.
What can you expect when growing giant pumpkins? Well, for the answers to your questions, your best bet is to attend one of Shim’s workshops. The time frame for growing ranges from 100-150 days, with fruit setting half way through. So this means that you may expect up to 40-50 pounds and 2-2 1/2 feet per day in vine growth. Don’t be surprised if you end up with vines ranging from 90-100 feet. Shim said he has seen growers adapt their growing area for the giants using 55 gallon drums set on wheels to move with the placement of the sun.
Shim says that seed prices can range up to $400 for one seed, but also said that many good producers come from humble beginnings. Shim also tries to encourage his higher priced seeds to compete with their less expensive counterparts. He said when it comes time to cull or pick the strongest on the mound; he warns the more expensive seed the day before. He added that the more expensive seedling somehow ends up being just a bit taller the next day.
Oh, and if you wondered how big last year’s world record pumpkin from Christy Harp from Ohio was, at 1725 pounds, just imagine a VW sitting in your garden and you will have a general idea. Southern California’s 2009 Pumpkimania winner was veteran grower Michelle Lofthouse’s “Pete” weighing in at 903 pounds.
For a list of Shim’s classes, soil preparation, growing tips and a few interesting items, including the chance to own your own orange stethoscope from his Pumpkinmania store, visit his blog at: http://pumpkinmania.blogspot.com
Shim says his title comes from his Hawaiian roots where a Kahuna is considered the high priest. Wikipedia’s definition includes, “an expert in any profession.” Shim, also a California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, began growing giant pumpkins in 1993. This year’s pumpkin adventure includes more than a dozen workshops scheduled in Washington State, and Southern and Northern California titled “How to Grow a 500-Pound Giant Pumpkin.” Shim said it was still uncertain where and when the final weigh-off will take place, as last August he had the arrival of a new baby to his family.
Shim said it was unusual for him to hold a workshop at a private residence as he began this year’s training at the home of the 2009 winner of Pumpkinmania’s Most Experienced Grower, Mae Powell. The choice of Powell’s yard was inspiring. Attendees were greeted with a bounty of nasturtiums at the curb and a plethora of winter vegetables and fruit trees as they meandered towards the front door. From the street, one would never know that a good part of Powell’s front yard is dedicated to edible gardening.
Yes, there was a lawn and there was lettuce, or as one attendee called it, “giant lettuce” lined up like petite soldiers on the upper terrace. There were peas, kale, and Swiss chard that Powell said would remain after composting the rest of the winter vegetables in preparation for her tomatoes. And then there were the bare spots ready for her pumpkins. Last year Powell grew a 286 1/2 pound giant with some vines climbing into her fruit trees. Powell needed to create little hammocks for them.
The intimate group of attendees was directed to Powell’s patio decorated with succulents scattered like little figurines. Birds were avidly feeding outside the patio as Shim prepared for the workshop.
“Let the adventure begin,” said Shim as he started. Shim described the adventure of pumpkin growing. He started with a pinch of history, a dash of botany and added some fun into the recipe. Shim titled the series “How to Grow a 500 Pound Pumpkin,” since his attempts to grow a giant garnered a 525 pound beauty. He is still working at breaking his personal growing record which has stood for about five years, and hopes this year the large growing space at Irvine’s Great Park will help.
As for hints on growing, Shim said soil preparation is key. He also said that it is still not too late to add composted manure to the soil. According to Shim, the target date for planting is “the evening of the full moon in May.” Shim says that the sunlight reflected off the full moon helps the seeds.
What can you expect when growing giant pumpkins? Well, for the answers to your questions, your best bet is to attend one of Shim’s workshops. The time frame for growing ranges from 100-150 days, with fruit setting half way through. So this means that you may expect up to 40-50 pounds and 2-2 1/2 feet per day in vine growth. Don’t be surprised if you end up with vines ranging from 90-100 feet. Shim said he has seen growers adapt their growing area for the giants using 55 gallon drums set on wheels to move with the placement of the sun.
Shim says that seed prices can range up to $400 for one seed, but also said that many good producers come from humble beginnings. Shim also tries to encourage his higher priced seeds to compete with their less expensive counterparts. He said when it comes time to cull or pick the strongest on the mound; he warns the more expensive seed the day before. He added that the more expensive seedling somehow ends up being just a bit taller the next day.
Oh, and if you wondered how big last year’s world record pumpkin from Christy Harp from Ohio was, at 1725 pounds, just imagine a VW sitting in your garden and you will have a general idea. Southern California’s 2009 Pumpkimania winner was veteran grower Michelle Lofthouse’s “Pete” weighing in at 903 pounds.
For a list of Shim’s classes, soil preparation, growing tips and a few interesting items, including the chance to own your own orange stethoscope from his Pumpkinmania store, visit his blog at: http://pumpkinmania.blogspot.com
