In recent news from Epoch Times on October 8, 2026, Ian Paton, a man from Hampshire, UK, has successfully grown a massive pumpkin weighing 1,296 kilograms, setting a new Guinness World Record. Pumpkins are not only a seasonal vegetable for autumn but also a highlight of Halloween festivities.
Ian Paton, along with his twin brother Stuart Paton, has been cultivating giant pumpkins since their teenage years, accumulating over 50 years of experience in pumpkin cultivation. Last year, they achieved a world record for the heaviest pumpkin with their creation named “Muggle,” weighing 1,278.8 kilograms and boasting a circumference of 649.8 centimeters.
This year, Ian has broken their previous record with a colossal pumpkin named “Bagheera,” weighing 1,295.8 kilograms. Stuart, who retired after last year’s record-breaking achievement, supported his brother in this endeavor.
“Bagheera,” a nickname inspired by the black panther character from “The Jungle Book,” underwent an official weighing by Sebastian Suski, a judge from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and a resident consultant for the Guinness World Records, at the Wargrave Nursery Giant Vegetable Weigh-Off held in Berkshire on October 3.
Ian devoted up to six hours daily to care for “Bagheera,” providing approximately 130 gallons of water, emphasizing the demanding nature of nurturing such a giant pumpkin. The 65-year-old Ian shared that the enormous pumpkin will be displayed at Sunnyfields Farm near Southampton for a few weeks before being used as feed for cows.
Despite the challenging and ever-changing weather conditions in the UK, Ian and Stuart have developed a method to successfully grow giant pumpkins, utilizing greenhouse cultivation. This approach has been a key factor in their ability to produce such massive pumpkins over the years, especially in recent times.
Ian’s dedication and commitment to cultivating record-breaking pumpkins demonstrate his passion for horticulture and his determination to push the boundaries of what is achievable in the world of giant vegetable growing.