Jaune gros de Paris Giant pumpkin

Jaune gros de Paris Giant Pumpkin Seeds: Large, Long-Storing & Ideal for Preserving

Jaune Gros de Paris is a French treasure and one of France’s national heirloom varieties. The fruits derive the name Yellow of Paris from their distinctive pink-golden color. Unlike deeply ribbed traditional pumpkin varieties, the exterior is smooth and, when left to fully ripen, develops a subtle net pattern on the skin that adds considerable character.

The Gros de Paris yellow pumpkin is a runner variety with plants reaching 5 to 6 meters in length. It produces spherical, slightly flattened, ribbed fruits 25 to 70 cm in diameter and weighing 15 to 50 kg each. The salmon-yellow skin encloses thick, tender, yellow-orange flesh with an excellent sweet taste.

Dill’s Atlantic Giant — the world-record giant pumpkin variety — is itself descended from Jaune Gros de Paris, a French giant pumpkin variety of the 1800s. This ancestry speaks to the variety’s exceptional size genetics, vigor, and enduring relevance in the world of large-fruiting cucurbits.

When the fruit is fully ripe, the yellowish-pink skin develops reticulation similar to a cantaloupe and the flesh deepens to dark yellow. Renowned for its excellent storage qualities, Jaune Gros de Paris remains a beloved and widely grown choice in France to this day.

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima ‘Jaune Gros de Paris’
• Common Names: Big Yellow Pumpkin of Paris, Yellow of Paris, Giant Paris Pumpkin
• Origin: France — heirloom variety (non-GMO)
• Family: Cucurbitaceae
• Type: Warm-season annual
• Vine Length: 5–6 meters
• Fruit Weight: 15–50 kg (under ideal conditions)
• Fruit Diameter: 25–70 cm
• Fruit Shape: Slightly flattened round with light ribbing
• Rind Color: Yellow-salmon, developing a netted pattern when mature
• Flesh Color: Deep yellow orange
• Days to Maturity: Approximately 110 days
• Gulf Harvest Season: January to March

Key Features

• Medium to late-maturing variety, highly productive, and a standout feature in any garden.
• Thick, tender, sweet flesh with excellent flavor.
• Excellent keeping and storage qualities — remains usable for several months.
• Direct historical lineage to some of the world’s largest pumpkin varieties.
• Flowers are also edible.
• Pure heirloom variety — non-GMO, with seeds that can be saved from season to season.
• Strong ornamental appeal with an impressive garden presence thanks to its large size and golden coloring.

Plant Information

• Sun: Full sun — essential for fruits to reach their maximum size.
• Soil: Fertile, organic-rich, well-drained soil. It is recommended to prepare planting holes enriched with compost or organic matter at least two weeks before planting.
• Watering: Apply mulch to help retain adequate soil moisture and reduce water evaporation. Deep, regular watering is essential for proper fruit enlargement.
• Fertilizing: A heavy feeder — requires regular fertilization throughout the growing season. Start with a balanced fertilizer at planting, then switch to a high-phosphorus fertilizer once flowering begins to support fruit development.
• Spacing: Allow at least 2 meters of space in all directions between plants to accommodate the long trailing vines.
• Pest and Disease: Squash vine borer and powdery mildew are among the main issues — regular monitoring and organic prevention are recommended.
• Support: Not required — naturally a ground-sprawling vine.

Seed Germination

• Optimal germination temperature: 20–30°C, with around 25°C preferred.
• Seeds require darkness for germination and should be sown at a depth of 2–3 cm.
• Sow seeds in pots 2–3 weeks before final planting, placing 2–3 seeds per pot.
• Keep seedlings in a bright sheltered location at 18–20°C, while maintaining consistent moisture until germination occurs.
• Avoid sowing too early, as roots may become fibrous, which can hinder growth once transplanted into the garden.
• Days to Germination: 5–10 days

Growing Tips

• In Kuwait, the two most important factors for this variety are space and timing.
• It requires around 110 days to fully mature, so start seeds indoors in August and transplant them to their final location in September–October to enjoy harvests in January–February.
• This plant requires serious growing space — allow at least 4 × 4 meters per plant. If using raised beds with limited space, the trailing vines can be guided outside the bed onto the ground.
• Maintain regular organic feeding throughout the season — this is a heavy-feeding plant that requires significant nutrition to develop fruits of this size.
• Well-aged manure or worm compost applied directly beneath the plant gives excellent results.
• For the largest possible fruit size, allow only 2–3 fruits per plant and remove smaller developing fruits early.
• Companion planting with corn and beans in the traditional “Three Sisters” system is recommended, along with basil to help deter pests.

Gulf Planting Season

• Indoor sowing: August to September
• Transplanting outdoors: September to October
• Active growing season: October to February
• Harvest window: January to March
• Not recommended for outdoor growing: April to August (extreme heat)
• Best treated as a cool-to-warm season crop in Kuwait, started at the very beginning of the season to allow the full 110-day maturation window before April heat.
• Requires a large, open growing area with consistent irrigation and organic feeding throughout.

Harvest and Storage

• The pumpkin is considered mature when the stem begins to dry out and develops small cracks and wrinkles.
• Fruit growth stops, and the rind color becomes deeper and less glossy.
• Leave 5–8 cm of stem attached when harvesting. Harvest during dry weather to avoid bruising and damage.
• Store in a dry, well-ventilated place at 10–12°C. Place fruits stem-side up, spaced apart in raised crates, and avoid stacking pumpkins on top of each other.
• Pumpkin can also be frozen after cutting and cooking for storage up to one full year.

Garden Uses

• An ornamental and edible pumpkin at the same time. Its massive size and golden coloring make it an unmatched visual focal point in any garden.
• Ideal as an heirloom variety for seed saving from season to season.
• Train the trailing vines alternately to the right and left to help organize garden space.
• Excellent for Gulf-style kitchen garden designs, planted alongside smaller pumpkins, cucumbers, and corn.