Circleville, Ohio — A lot of questions have surrounded the community on the severe drought that has affected the area, and how did Circleville’s favorite Orange Fruit perform. We sat down with State Champion and longtime Circleville Pumpkin Grower Dr. Bob Liggett this weekend.
As the fall season approaches, Circleville Pumpkin Show grower Dr. Bob Liggett shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of this year’s pumpkin-growing season. With the change in weather, Liggett reflects on how this year’s conditions have affected his crop and the broader pumpkin-growing community.
“The weather has certainly been a mixed bag,” Liggett noted. “We started off well with favorable conditions in June, but then the drought set in. The intense heat and lack of rain caused many pumpkin leaves to shrivel and plants to shut down in an effort to protect themselves. Those who managed to use shade cloth—specifically a 40% shade cloth—saw better results, as it helped shield their plants from the harsh sun.”
As Pumpkin show growers, we see the large pumpkins but sometimes don’t realize there is a large factory of leaves in vines that surround that pumpkin and help create nutrients to grow such an amazing orb. Liggett described those leaves as being concerned this year because the drought damaged them, and damaged leaves don’t produce as much as healthier ones.
Liggett explained that while drought conditions have lessened issues with mold and disease, such as powdery mildew, they have also brought their own set of challenges. “Powdery mildew was less of a problem this year due to the drought, but it’s still present. We combat it by removing affected leaves and using neem oil, which is effective but doesn’t harm the plants or fruit.”
Watering has been critical this year, with Liggett’s patch receiving 80 gallons of water per day. “With the rain we had last night, the watering system will be off for a few days. It’s crucial to manage water carefully, especially in a drought year,” he said. Liggett also mentioned the case of a fellow grower whose patch suffered due to a lack of watering while on vacation.
Despite the weather challenges, this year has seen some impressive pumpkin sizes. “We have at least three pumpkins currently weighing in at 2,000 pounds, which is becoming more common. There might even be a fourth one around Darbyville,” Liggett revealed. However, he noted the uncertainty that can arise in the final stretch of growing, as unexpected issues can arise, such as the blossom end splitting he experienced with a previous pumpkin.
Liggett told Sciotopost that his state-winning pumpkin seeds were replanted and crossbred with another local grower and the results have significantly shown. Liggett hasn’t been without loss though, he told us that he was growing the world record pumpkin seed from Italy but the blossom end split just a few weeks ago ended that pumpkin. Liggett says that pumpkin was an impressive 1,700 pounds. He also mentioned the thickness of the pumpkin was something to note, its not a full loss though he said he was able to harvest seeds from the pumpkin and those will go back in the ground soon.
Liggett, who won last year’s state record with a 2,388.5-pound pumpkin, is optimistic about the potential for this year’s entries. “Even though we’re seeing some issues with leaf health due to the heat, the pumpkins are responding well to the cooler air and sunshine we’re getting now.”
Looking ahead, Liggett is hopeful for another successful year and is excited about the potential of his seeds. “The largest pumpkin this year came from last year’s winner, and we’ve shared seeds with the Southern Ohio Giant Pumpkin Growers to help support their prize fund. It’s a great way to support the local community and promote pumpkin growing.”
Liggett’s innovative approach, including the use of shade cloth and careful management of water, reflects his dedication and adaptability in the face of challenging conditions. As the Circleville Pumpkin Show approaches, all eyes will be on the impressive pumpkins that emerge from this year’s efforts.
