Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Around the Garden on October 24 2011, by Ann Rafalko
They came. They saw. They conquered! And lucky for us, everyone still has their brains in place.
Couldn’t make it to the Garden this weekend to watch Ray Villafane transform two of the world’s heaviest pumpkins (including the world record-holder) into a super-creepy zombie tableau? Never fear!
We caught all the action via time-lapse camera and in a slideshow. Head below the jump to see them … if you dare!
Posted in NYBG in the News on November 2 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
We wanted to share this great interview that Weekend Edition host Scott Simon did with master pumpkin carver Scott Cully.
In the interview, Scott divulges how he became a giant pumpkin carver, and one deep, dark secret. It’s not to be missed.
You can read the transcript, listen to it, or download it as a podcast.
Posted in Programs and Events on November 1 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
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Gravity, it seems, will always win. Whether it’s in the war against wrinkles, when you drop your buttered toast, or when you’re carving the world’s heaviest pumpkin. Here on earth, we’re all a slave to it.
And while Chris Stevens’ 1,810.5 pound world record-holder did succumb to Newton’s most famous force, the other two fabulous pumpkins are still on view here at The New York Botanical Garden, and should be around through Friday.
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And here’s hoping Scott Cully‘s heroic effort will be considered great by another book: The Guinness Book.
Posted in Programs and Events on October 29 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
Scott Cully was out at the reflecting pool in front of the Leon Levy Visitor Center bright and early this morning to begin carving Chris Stevens’ World Record-breaking giant pumpkin.
Here’s some shots (and a short video!) from our early morning rendezvous.
Posted in Programs and Events on October 29 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
Yep, that’s right ladies and gents. The giant pumpkins are so big, a man can fit inside. Matthew DeBacco from team-pumpkin.org climbed inside Steve Connolly’s 1,674.5 pounder this morning to harvest some seeds. He reported that it was nice and warm, and that if it were on the Lower East Side it would rent for about $1,500 a month!.
Check it out!
Posted in Programs and Events on October 22 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
The Guinness World Record-holding giant pumpkin is here!
The pumpkin, grown by Chris Stevens in New Richmond, Wisconsin weighs 1,810 1/2 pounds. It will be on display at The New York Botanical Garden through Halloween along with two other giant pumpkins. The second weightiest of the group (shown at right) clocks in at 1,725 pounds and was grown by Ken Sweet in Washington, Michigan. The third gourd in the giant pumpkin trio was grown by Steve Connolly in Sharon, Massachusetts and weighs 1,674 1/2 pounds.
Pictures cannot convey how impressive these amazing, sustainably-grown ‘Atlantic Giants’ are. So come see them for yourself! The pumpkins will be on display around the reflecting pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center through Sunday, October 31.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 29, 30, and 31 renowned pumpkin carver Steve Cully will be at the Botanical Garden to carve the record-setting gourd. Cully will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Jack ‘O Lantern which he already holds!
To plan your visit and learn more about the pumpkins and the Garden, click here. And for eleven fun facts we learned about giant pumpkins from the growers themselves, click here.
Posted in Programs and Events on October 22 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
Here are some fun facts I learned about giant pumpkins from the farmers that grow them.
– During peak growth, the pumpkins can add as much as 50 pounds of weight per day.
– The pale color of the pumpkins has been genetically selected for because the farmers think it looks nice. The pale salmon color also contains tinge of blue that highlights the genetic heritage of the Blue Hubbard squash.
For more fun pumpkin facts and an exclusive photo gallery head below the break.
Posted in Exhibitions on October 20 2010, by Plant Talk
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
The first of three giant pumpkins that will call The New York Botanical Garden home through Halloween (as part of Halloween Hoorah) arrived today. And what an arrival it was! The 1,725 pound beauty was grown by farmer Ken Sweet in Michigan–40 miles north of Detroit on the border of the towns of Romeo and Armada–and was driven here by his two buddies Don van Houtte and Mark Mikula. The two men set out yesterday, stopped in Pennsylvania for a rest and arrived behind the Conservatory around 11 a.m. They were greeted by a small fleet of golf carts bringing smiling Garden employees, and one very large forklift.
After a few photo ops with the employees, the giant pumpkin was lifted gently from its truck by the forklift, and carried in a caravan of golf carts to its resting spot by the reflecting pool in front of the Leon Levy Visitors Center where it will shortly be joined by two pumpkin buddies, including the new world record holder, a behemoth weighing in at 1,800 pounds!
Click here for exclusive pictures of the arrival of the first giant pumpkin!
