Man grows giant pumpkin in Massachusetts

BOSTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts man may have achieved a Guinness World Record by growing a pumpkin that weighs some 1,800 pounds.

The massive squash planted by Steve Connolly of Sharon, Mass., has been fed North American Kelp and various other fertilizers to spur its growth, WCVB-TV in Boston reports.

Connolly told the station he used a lot of cow manure and maple leaf compost on the pumpkin, which gained some 45 pounds a day during its most rapid growth phase.

Connolly said he also used a naturally occurring fungus called RTI mycorrhizae to stimulate a massive root structure that allowed the plant to draw more energy and grow so large.

His pumpkin will be harvested Oct.10 and taken to Frerich's Farm in Warren, Mass. to be weighed Oct. 11.

Some 3,000 people from throughout New England are expected to attend including representatives of Guinness World Records.