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The Secret Behind The World's Largest Watermelon: How Chris Kent Grew A 350.5-Pound Behemoth

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As of December 2025, the title for the largest watermelon in the world remains firmly held by Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee, USA, a record that has stood for over a decade. This gargantuan fruit, a testament to dedication and expert cultivation, officially weighed an astonishing 350.5 pounds (159 kg) when it was verified by Guinness World Records. The sheer scale of this achievement is difficult to grasp—it’s heavier than a fully grown male lion, and its weight is a constant source of fascination and a benchmark for competitive growers globally, solidifying its place in agricultural history. The story of the world’s largest watermelon is not just about a massive fruit; it’s about a specific heirloom variety, the precise science of giant vegetable growing, and the intense, year-long commitment of a dedicated grower. While other competitions continue to produce enormous melons, Kent’s 2013 record remains the undisputed gold standard, inspiring a community of "giant veg" enthusiasts who are constantly seeking to dethrone the current champion.

The Man and the Melon: Chris Kent's Record-Breaking Achievement

The record-breaking watermelon was officially weighed and verified on October 4, 2013, at the Operation: Spring Planting Big Pumpkin & Watermelon Weigh Off in Sevierville, Tennessee, USA. The grower, Chris Kent, is a legendary name in the world of competitive giant vegetable growing, a field that requires the precision of a scientist and the patience of a saint.

Chris Kent's Watermelon Record Profile

  • Record Holder: Chris Kent (USA)
  • Hometown: Sevierville, Tennessee, USA
  • Official Weight: 159 kg (350.5 lb)
  • Date Verified: 4 October 2013
  • Watermelon Variety: Carolina Cross
  • Status: Current Guinness World Record Holder for Heaviest Watermelon
Kent’s accomplishment is particularly impressive because the record has been so difficult to break. The 350.5 lb (159 kg) melon shattered the previous record and set a new, incredibly high bar for all competitors. The longevity of the record, now over a decade old, speaks volumes about the perfect storm of genetics, weather, and cultivation techniques that came together that year.

The Genetics: Why the Carolina Cross is King

The secret to growing a watermelon of such epic proportions begins not in the soil, but in the seed. For giant watermelons, there is one variety that dominates the competitive circuit: the Carolina Cross. The Carolina Cross is an heirloom variety specifically bred and selected over generations for its massive size potential. These oblong melons are light green with stripes, and while they are known for their sweet, crisp, red flesh, their primary appeal is their ability to reach weights of 200 to 250 pounds under normal circumstances—and much more with intensive care.

Key Characteristics of the Carolina Cross

  • Size Potential: Known to produce specimens over 200 lbs, with a documented potential of 350.5 lbs.
  • Maturity Time: It requires a long growing season, typically 100 to 130 days from planting to full maturity, which is longer than most commercial varieties.
  • Flesh Quality: Despite the focus on size, the flesh is described as very crisp, finely grained, and sweet.
  • Rind: The rind is striped and notably resistant to bruising, a crucial feature when attempting to move and weigh a 350-pound fruit.
The journey to a world-record watermelon starts with selecting seeds from previous record-setting stock, ensuring the highest genetic potential for size. This practice of selective breeding is what continually pushes the boundaries of what is agriculturally possible.

The Cultivation Secrets: How to Grow a Giant Watermelon

Growing a 350-pound watermelon is not a casual gardening hobby; it is a highly specialized agricultural endeavor. Champion growers like Chris Kent follow a rigorous, multi-step process that maximizes the plant’s energy and nutrient uptake.

1. Soil Preparation and Location

The foundation of a giant watermelon is the soil. These heavy-feeding plants require a location with full sun and soil that is incredibly rich in organic matter. The ideal medium is a well-drained, sandy loam, which prevents water stagnation and promotes vigorous root growth. Growers often spend months amending the soil with compost, manure, and specialized fertilizers to create a nutrient-dense "super-patch."

2. The One-Fruit Rule

This is perhaps the most critical technique. A single watermelon plant naturally produces multiple fruits. However, to achieve world-record size, the grower must select only the most promising fruit on the strongest vine and remove all others. This "one-fruit rule" ensures that 100% of the plant’s energy, water, and nutrients are directed into the growth of that single, massive melon.

3. Intense Watering and Feeding

Giant watermelons are extremely thirsty and hungry. They require consistent, deep watering, often with a drip system, to maintain continuous growth. Nutrient application is also precise, focusing on a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients, to fuel the rapid cell division that leads to massive size. The feeding regimen often changes as the fruit matures.

4. Vine Management and Protection

The main vine needs to be strong enough to support the immense weight of the fruit. Growers carefully manage the vine’s growth, often burying secondary vines to encourage more rooting, which increases the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients. Furthermore, the melon itself must be protected from sun scald, pests, and disease. As the fruit grows, it is often placed on a bed of sand or a pallet to prevent rot and allow for safe movement.

The Competition: The Race to Break 350.5 Pounds

While Chris Kent’s 350.5-pound watermelon holds the official Guinness World Record, the competitive growing circuit is alive with new attempts every year. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) hosts official weigh-offs where growers compete to produce the biggest fruit. For instance, recent GPC results show the incredible effort being put in by growers: in 2024, Nick McCaslin grew a 309.5 lb watermelon, and in 2023, Chris Kent himself grew a 308.1 lb melon. These weights, while massive, demonstrate just how challenging it is to surpass the 350-pound mark. The difference between a competition-winning melon and a world-record melon can come down to a single perfect season of weather and an infinitesimal advantage in genetics and soil chemistry. The pursuit of the heaviest watermelon is a global phenomenon, driven by the challenge of pushing the limits of nature. Every growing season, the community of giant vegetable growers—united by their passion for the Carolina Cross variety and their meticulous growing tips—prepares for the next attempt to claim the title from the legendary Chris Kent and his 350.5 lb behemoth.
The Secret Behind the World's Largest Watermelon: How Chris Kent Grew a 350.5-Pound Behemoth
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