"Tender loving care" that's all I have to say!

What you will need for success is space, lots of space. Many square feet of moist, fertile soil is the key. That's why most backyard situations won't work very well. These plants are amazing at colonizing large areas, and consuming the sunshine and soil fertility afforded there. And that's what it takes to make the large fruits. If you give them a small bed of fertile soil and let the vines run over weeds, lawn and hardpan, you will get disappointing results. They need to raise their huge leaves into more and more sunshine, and sink their roots at every leaf joint into more and more moist, fertile soil as they branch and spread. The guys who raise the big'ns have large fields for this purpose.

Welp, I've got two vines going out back by the corn, with plenty of room to redirect vines around in. I have no delusions of breaking the 1 ton barrier, but I'd be overjoyed with one or two that at least break into 3 digit weights.

I am going to try and grow a giant pumpkin. Watch this space. First job is to sow some seeds . I might try dills Atlantic giant although big max did me proud a couple of years ago.

Edymnion,
How are those pumpkins coming along?

siting here in august, wondering how big your pumpkin is, I am planning to grow my own Atlantic next year. Sure hope you got yourself a monster