The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day for July 10, 1998

What are the world's largest fruits?
The largest fruits are giant pumpkins, specially grown and bred for their size. The largest ones can weigh over 1,000 pounds!
Growing giant pumpkins is a fine art, and there are many different ideas about how to do it best. Many growers keep their methods secret. Some use heating cables to protect against cold weather, or
special fertilizers for maximum growth. Giant pumpkin vines are pampered and watched carefully.

These facts are from Education World.

1. Leafy vines grow from pumpkin seeds.
2. Yellow-orange flowers bloom on the pumpkin vine, then wither.
3. The flowers' ovaries (at the base of the flower) swell and become tiny green pumpkins.
4. The pumpkins grow larger and change color and…
5. About four months after planting, they're ready to harvest.

And a few more facts worth knowing….

Pumpkins can vary in color from white to yellow to orange.
Pumpkins contain vitamin A and potassium.
Pumpkins are an ingredient in pies, breads, soups, and other foods.
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack.
Pumpkins are used as feed for some farm animals.

We found an article in the newspaper this week which reads,

"Peter, Peter pumpkin-eater: Alexander Grant, seven, from Warkwroth,
Ontario, tries to budge a 379.5kg pumpkin just a little bit before
the Ottawa-St Lawrence Growers Giant Pumpkin Contest in the Byward
Market in Ottawa. The largest pumpkin at the even was a monstrous
440kg."

In the picture Alexander is shown trying to push the pumpkin which is
about as tall as he is. It is on its side.

Love from
Grade 1
Micklefield, South Africa