Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Massive pumpkin breaks state record (AK)
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner ^ | Aug 11, 1:57 PM EDT | ROBINSON DUFFY

Posted on 08/12/2005 4:23:11 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) -- Dave Iles watched expectantly Tuesday night as his massive pumpkin was lifted onto the scale. The numbers just rolled by: 400 pounds, 500, 600 ... 700 ... finally coming to a rest at 752 pounds.

At first he thought there was something wrong with the scale. He thought his pumpkin would be maybe 540 pounds, tops. But 752 pounds and a new state record? He couldn't believe it.

"That's the first pumpkin I've ever grown," Iles said, who also broke the state record this year with a 60-pound marrow zucchini and holds a world record for a nearly 64-pound kohlrabi.

This year, his gargantuan squash had to be lifted to the scale by forklift, said Vanessa Spencer, Tanana Valley State Fair competition exhibit manager. "There were, like, eight guys trying to get that thing on the forklift," she said.

The previous state record for pumpkins was held by J.D. Megchelsen of Nikiski, whose squash weighed in at 707 pounds last year at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.

Iles, with a greenhouse in North Pole, uses an innovative - and top-secret- system, combining hydroponics and aeroponics.

"I'm trying to utilize the best of both worlds," Iles said.

Hydroponics grows vegetables without soil, only water, while aeroponics uses neither soil nor direct water, relying on nearly 100 percent humidity in the greenhouse.

Iles' unique system obviously shows some success, but it also has a few kinks to work out, he said. The pumpkin's massive plant structure, with leaves 38 inches across, crushed its own roots, perhaps stifling further growth. Next year, after a little tweaking, Iles doesn't know how big his pumpkin could be.

But he can't think about that now, with the state fair later this month to worry about.

The hearsay on the squash circuit is there could be some major competition in Palmer. But Iles said he's still got some surprises in his greenhouse. If girth means anything, he's got another pumpkin that could be 100 pounds heavier than this one.

"There's a possibility that I'll give them a run for their money," he said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: greatpumpkin; halloween; pumpkinpie

1 posted on 08/12/2005 4:23:11 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Pictures please!


2 posted on 08/12/2005 4:24:24 AM PDT by Rippin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rippin

Looking...


3 posted on 08/12/2005 4:24:55 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

What!? No Pic? Gotta have a pic!


4 posted on 08/12/2005 4:25:03 AM PDT by marvlus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Well, there's a pumpkin Peter Pumpkin-Eater can keep his wife in very well...


5 posted on 08/12/2005 4:28:12 AM PDT by Junior (Just because the voices in your head tell you to do things doesn't mean you have to listen to them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rippin

No pictures yet online that I can find. If I do, I will let you know.


6 posted on 08/12/2005 4:29:18 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Rippin
Here ya go!


7 posted on 08/12/2005 4:30:49 AM PDT by QwertyKPH (Non-profane tagline)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

I want to see a picture of this pumpkin loaded in the back of a 1978 Datsun pickup. :)


8 posted on 08/12/2005 4:35:22 AM PDT by elli1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
The pumpkin's massive plant structure, with leaves 38 inches across, crushed its own roots, perhaps stifling further growth.

Try anti-gravity.

9 posted on 08/12/2005 4:50:19 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (Legality does not dictate morality... Lavin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

That's no moon...


10 posted on 08/12/2005 5:06:23 AM PDT by TOWER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rippin

11 posted on 08/12/2005 5:10:26 AM PDT by zeebee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: zeebee

Please, Enough of the "South Park" references....j/k.


12 posted on 08/12/2005 5:20:50 AM PDT by ExcursionGuy84 ("I will Declare the Beauty of The LORD.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
Alaska State Fair Large Vegetable List
13 posted on 08/12/2005 6:28:09 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Maria Johnson of Fairbanks marvels at the size of the new state record pumpkin on display at the Tanana Valley State Fair on Wednesday. The 752-pound pumpkin was grown by Dave Iles, and broke the previous state record by more than 40 pounds.

14 posted on 08/12/2005 6:35:47 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: thackney

Nice little pumpkins they grow in Alaska. This is what they grow in New Hampshire. 1,458 lbs. grown by Bruce and Mary Whittier of Henniker, NH.

15 posted on 08/12/2005 7:02:45 AM PDT by Ol' Sox
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson