Twins squash world record for biggest pumpkin

A giant yellow and orange pumpkin. The large stem is visible in the foreground. Standing behind the pumpkin are Ian and Stuart, both wearing blue jumpers and blue jeans.

Brothers Ian (left) and Stuart Paton have been growing giant pumpkins for 50 years

Patrick Hughes
South of England

Twin brothers have broken two world records for the world's largest and heaviest pumpkin.

Stuart and Ian Paton, from Lymington in Hampshire, have been growing giant pumpkins for over 50 years.

They said they had come close to breaking the records several times before - even surpassing them one year - but a small hole in the giant squash led to their disqualification."

But after their giant fruit weighed in at 2,819lbs (1,278kg) with a circumference of over 21ft (6,4m) at a giant vegetable weigh-off in Reading last weekend, the record was finally theirs.

The same large yellow-orange pumpkin, with a small brown and black dog sat atop of it looking toward the camera.

The record-smashing pumpkin, with a small dog for scale

"It was an amazing feeling, it's hard to describe really," said Stuart.

His brother Ian added: "I kind of had an inkling when the forklift started beeping and flashing red."

The previous heaviest pumpkin record holder was 2,749lbs (1,247kg), while the former largest was over 20.2ft (6.1m) in circumference - both grown in the US.

It is the first time the world record has been held in the UK with the weigh-in taking place at Wargrave Nursery in Reading.

The pair said they became interested in growing oversized gourds when they were 13.

A large red forklift heaving up the giant pumpkin from the soil-covered ground. It is attached to the pumpkin with purple cords. Two men stand near the pumpkin, looking at it. Stuart Paton

Ian said he suspected they would win after the forklift started flashing red

The brothers said they had been "hooked" on trying to break the world record since seeing a photograph of young child sitting on a pumpkin.

The pumpkins are grown in computer-controlled greenhouses, and need about 130 gallons (492l) of water a day.

"This pumpkin's 131 days old, and it was growing 70lbs (31.7kg) a day average for about 10 or 15 days," said Stuart.

In the past, some of their giant pumpkins have been flown to feed the elephants at a zoo in New York.

This one is now on show at Sunnyfields farm near Southampton, where it will be displayed for the next few weeks.

In the foreground, close up, are regular sized orange pumpkins. In the background, quite far away, the giant yellow-orange pumpkin can be seen with some people standing near it. There are some farm buildings and fences in the background.

The giant pumpkins need about 130 gallons of water a day

"We would like everybody to see our pumpkin, because it inspires other people to grow, especially kids," said Stuart.

Stuart said that before he learned he had broken the records, he had already decided to retire to spend more time with his family.

"This was my last pumpkin, so it's a happy coincidence, really."

Ian, on the other hand, said he is going to carry on growing.

"I'm going to see if I can break the world record for the biggest onion as well," he added.

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