Alexander Chusov, a Russian gardener, is cultivating giant pumpkins, some weighing over a ton, in his specially built greenhouse. Despite facing challenges with outdoor crops due to unfavorable weather and genetic defects, his greenhouse pumpkins are thriving. Chusov, who considers pumpkin growing more than just a hobby, aims to exhibit these giants and use them for seed collection.

Chusov’s outdoor pumpkin patch experienced a “failure” this year, with pumpkins only reaching around 450 kilograms due to poor weather and genetic issues. One pumpkin, initially expected to weigh over 700 kilograms, only reached 100 kilograms due to stem rot, while another displayed genetic defects and grew into an acorn shape. Chusov emphasized that growing giant pumpkins involves risks like bad seeds, weather, and plant rot.

To combat these challenges, Chusov built a 160-square-meter greenhouse equipped with soil heating, air conditioning, and drip irrigation. He invested in expensive seeds, one costing 120,000 rubles, to grow pumpkins estimated to weigh over a thousand kilograms. Chusov meticulously tracks their growth using a special application. The two current stars of his greenhouse are named Wulf and Kisamor, who at their peak, consumed a ton of water a day and gained 30 kilograms in weight.

Despite their size, these pumpkins are edible, but Chusov has no intention of eating them. He considers them “art objects” destined for exhibition rather than consumption. Chusov also dispelled the myth that he uses excessive chemicals, stating that he focuses on achieving the ideal balance of fertilizers based on soil analysis.

Chusov organizes the Russian championship for growing giant vegetables, a trend increasingly popular among young people. After a month-long exhibition, Wulf and Kisamor will be processed. Their seeds will be collected and the remaining pumpkin will be disposed of.