A cucumber plant named Larry might just be the world's tallest. It is certainly the tallest cucumber plant resident Mark Gibson has ever grown.
Coming in at over 12 feet tall, the plant is continuing to thrive along the side of Gibson’s Brighton Street home.
“In nine days, it went from seven inches to 12 inches,” he said of the plant.
On Thursday Larry measured in at 12 feet and four inches tall, matching the height of another tall cucumber plant recorded earlier this summer in Madison, Florida.
Currently, Gibson is in the midst of contacting Guinness World Records to have an adjudicator come and measure Larry to see if the plant is worthy of an official title. Right now on the Guinness World Records website, there is no record for the world's tallest cucumber plant.
“They said they would contact me in two weeks,” he said, adding he hopes the plant doesn't die by then.
When it comes to cucumber plants, there is a record listed in the Guinness World Records for the largest plant, which was given to the Walt Disney Company in 2006. The plant covered an area of 56.7 m² (or 610.31 ft²) at the Epcot Science project at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
While Gibson waits for an adjudicator, he has two pieces of silver duct tape placed beside the plant dated for only a day a part – when Larry hit 12 feet and the Florida plant's height.
“It had nothing to do with me, it was God,” said Gibson about its rapid growth, although he did admit to feeding the plant Miracle Growth.
Gibson recalls purchasing the seeds from the Ontario Seed Company and planting them during the long weekend in May. It wasn’t until this week that he noticed the plant had grown over seven inches.
"I'm up every day for work, and I would give the plant a little drink unless it had rained," said Gibson.
“It feels weird, as it was just growing."
While cucumbers typically have a short growing season, Gibson mentions all the right factors were present this year for the plant.
“It’s been nice and warm, dry, but enough moisture,” he said, adding 2021 has been a great year for gardening in general.
Growing up gardening with his father, Gibson adds having the right conditions can also make a difference.“You have to have the right conditions," he said, "Every little thing needs the basics; water, food, and care.”
Besides Guinness, Gibson reached out to the Horticultural Society about the plant. He adds it could also be of interest for the city to promote its land quality to those looking to retire and start gardening.
“Guelph has some of the most arable soil in Ontario," said Gibson.
After Larry's success, Gibson plans on adding another trellis to grow two plants next year. In the meantime, the solo plant has received lots of attention from residents living in the area.
“My neighbour said maybe God did this to cheer us up,” he said.
