Dosatron - a Pump for Pumpkins

Interview with Giant Pumpkin Grower - Doug Kissamore

U.S.A., land of “bigger is better” and no one exemplifies this motto more than “one of the world’s premier giant pumpkin clubs” – The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers Association. This group, who has been operating since 1995, supports their events, like the Annual Weigh-Off, in-part with seed sales and auctions.

Dosatron recently donated a Dosatron D14MZ2 – 14 GPM injector to be auctioned off for the group. We had the opportunity to speak with the winner and giant pumpkin hobbyist, Doug Kisamore, and asked a couple of questions about his experience growing the oversized squash.

Dosatron: What type of nutrients do you use to get your pumpkins so large? Dosatron can handle a lot of fertilizer, even organics!

Doug: You can use whatever you want for nutrients and soil testing is a big part of it. An old wives tale is feeding the pumpkin milk.

Dosatron: What's the largest pumpkin you've grown?

Doug: 877.5 lbs

Dosatron: When is the growing season for giant pumpkins?

Doug: Inside Ohio, it’s mid to end of April. Outside, the first week of May. We use mini greenhouses or hoophouses at the start for a few weeks, pollinate by end of June and get a pumpkin going. Weigh offs start Sept – October.

Dosatron: When did you first hear about Dosatron?

Doug: Family has been using them for decades. We had a Dosatron growing up for cattle and hogs for 4H - using it for electrolytes for water. (At one point Doug’s uncle had the oldest running Dosatron unit operating at his farm but has since upgraded.)

Dosatron: How much larger do you believe your pumpkin will get with the help of a Dosatron unit?

Doug: Aiming for into the 1000’s