Record holders among vegetables: what is the largest carrot in the world and who grew it

Carrots are successfully grown in 76 regions of Russia. Despite the unpretentiousness of this vegetable, it is not always possible to obtain a rich and high-quality harvest. However, this business also has its own record holders, whose achievements cause not only respect, but also surprise.

Let's consider which variety is better to choose and what nuances to consider when growing in order to enjoy the taste of large and juicy root vegetables.

Rating of the largest carrots in history

Standard carrots, bought in a store or grown in the garden, weigh about 70–160 g and are 10–15 cm long.

However, some gardeners managed to grow root crops of impressive size, which were included in the Guinness Book of Records.

The biggest

The largest carrot in the world weighs 10.18 kg. She was raised by American farmer Christopher Qualley in 2017. This is 1 kg more than the previous record of Peter Glazebrook, which was recorded 3 years earlier.

The longest

The longest carrot measures 6.2 m. It was grown by Briton Joe Atherton in 2016. The man broke his own previous record.

Interesting! This result was achieved thanks to a special technique in which the seeds are planted in long tubes with compost.

Records in Russia

There are no similar records for carrot growing in Russia yet. However, E. I. Shornikova, a resident of the city of Vyksa, Nizhny Novgorod region, managed to obtain a root crop of considerable size (weighing 2.18 kg).

The largest-fruited varieties and hybrids

Large varieties are considered to be those whose weight exceeds 200 g, regardless of size.

Russian size

This mid-season variety ripens in 110–115 days from the date of emergence. On light soils, root crops grow up to 30 cm in length, weighing up to 1 kg. The vegetables are smooth, bright orange with blunt ends, and taste sweet and juicy.

Planting period is April – May. The crop is suitable for growing in the middle zone.

Vita Longa

Mid-season variety selected by a Dutch company. It takes up to 160 days from sowing seeds to harvesting. The length of the root crops reaches 30 cm, weight - 300 g. The plants are resistant to pests, grow in heavy soil, and are suitable for industrial cultivation.

Productivity is high: up to 490 c/ha. Vegetables are stored for 7-8 months.

Canada F1

Mid-late hybrid from Holland, which is characterized by high yield (up to 630 c/ha) and good shelf life (until April). Suitable for cultivation in all regions. The length of carrots is approximately 20 cm, the average weight is 180–200 g, some specimens grow up to 400 g.

The sowing period is late April – early May. Canada F1 grows even on clay soils or shaded areas, but does not tolerate excessive soil moisture.

Autumn King

Medium late variety, 110–120 days pass from sowing to harvest. Recommended for cultivation in the Central and Central Black Earth regions. The length of carrots reaches 29 cm and weighs 100–250 g. The flesh is juicy, crispy and sweet.

Productivity per 1 m2 is 5–6.5 kg. The culture does not tolerate waterlogging.

Shantanay

Variety type Shantanay originally from France, grown in Russia since the mid-20th century. The most popular variety is Shantane 2461. This is a mid-season carrot with a growing season of 100–130 days, depending on the growing region.

The length of the root vegetables reaches 25 cm, and the weight is 150–200 g. The shape of the vegetables is cone-shaped, the color is bright orange. The pulp is juicy and sweet, the sugar content is 5–10%. The variety grows well on any type of soil, does not crack at high humidity and gives a good harvest (from 5.5 to 9 kg per 1 m2).

Reference! The ripening period of carrots depends on the climatic characteristics of the region in which they are grown.

Nantes 4

Mid-season variety, harvest ripening time: 70–100 days. Carrot length is 14–16 cm, weight is 100–170 g.

Root vegetables are valued for their excellent taste, thin core and good yield (7 kg per 1 m2). The vegetable is grown throughout Russia.

Amsterdam

This early ripening variety Fully matures in 90 days. The size of the root crops is 15–20 cm, weight – up to 170 g.

Carrots have a regular cylindrical shape and good taste. Marketable yield is 208–463 c/ha. The culture is resistant to diseases and high soil moisture.

How to grow record carrots

According to Christopher Qualley, who set a world record for growing giant carrots, the main conditions for success are: soil quality, the right variety and weather conditions.

Tips and secrets

Let's consider the recommendations of experienced farmers in more detail:

1. When choosing a variety, ripening time, keeping quality, and regionalization are taken into account.
2. Seeds are purchased in branded packaging, which contains information about the variety, cultivation characteristics, expiration date and manufacturer.
3. The root crop grows well in evenly lit, flat areas. Suitable predecessors and neighbors: zucchini, pumpkin, potatoes, tomatoes, onions. Do not plant carrots after dill, parsley, fennel, do not grow them for 2 years in a row in one place.
4. Carrots are demanding on soil looseness.Sandstones, peat lands and loams are ideal for culture. Before planting, the soil is dug deeply, loosened with a rake, and sand is added if necessary at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 m2. Seeds are not planted in fresh manure: this will spoil the taste and shape of the vegetables. Fertilize the soil in autumn and spring, 2-3 weeks before planting.
5. Carrots are sown when the top layer of soil (10–15 cm) warms up to +8°C.
6. The distance between rows is maintained at 15–20 cm, and between plants - at least 4 cm. After 3 leaves appear, weak and underdeveloped shoots are removed.
7. The crop is fed 3-4 times throughout the growing season. An excess of nitrogenous fertilizers negatively affects the quality of carrots, and potassium improves its taste, as it promotes the accumulation of sugars. The first feeding is carried out 3-4 weeks after germination, the subsequent ones - 2-3 weeks after. They use potassium magnesium (a source of potassium, magnesium and sulfur), phosphorus-potassium mixtures, and ash.
8. In the first month after planting, vegetables are watered 2-3 times a week. During the period of active crop growth, the soil is moistened once every 7–10 days. After irrigation, the soil is mulched. Watering is stopped 3-4 weeks before harvest.

To avoid thinning, they practice planting carrots on tape.

Reviews

Experienced gardeners willingly share not only their accumulated experience in growing root crops, but also their opinions on relative varieties:

Ekaterina Luzhkova, Pavlodar: “Canada F1 is a great hybrid. Even on clogged soil it produces a good harvest. I plant it after harvesting the cabbage. The soil after it is usually dense, but at least there’s nothing left for carrots!”

Ulyana, Smolensk: “The germination rate of Nantes is good, the crop ripens quickly. Carrots are sweet and juicy. Mostly vegetables are large with blunt ends.”

Ekaterina, Mr.Saransk: "I was convinced last year that the Autumn King variety is stored in winter almost until the end of April without loss of taste. That’s why I only planted it in the beds this season.”.

Conclusion

Large-fruited carrot varieties are mostly mid- and late-ripening and are suitable for long-term storage. To get a rich harvest, it is important not only to choose the right variety, but also to observe the planting characteristics and ensure proper care of the crop. This will reduce the risk of diseases and pests.