This Is The World's Largest Pumpkin

The former world record for the biggest pumpkin (2,323 pounds), set just last year, has been broken by Belgian Mathias Willemijns, whose 1,190.5-kilogram (2,623 pounds) pumpkin took the top prize at the Giant Pumpkin European Championship held in Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Gene McMullen, grower of the world's second-largest pumpkin under the former world record, said patience and care were the secret to growing insanely large pumpkins, the International Business Times reported. It took McMullen 93 days to grow his 2,145-pound pumpkin. Feeding and watering the pumpkin, keeping it at an ideal temperature, and keeping the skin from getting dry are key.

"Number one is genetics, number two is genetics, number three is genetics," said George Hamilton, an extension field specialist in fruits and vegetables from the University of New Hampshire. "And then number four you've got sun, warmth, fertilizer and water." 

Check out our roundup of 10 great pumpkin recipes that aren't pie.