A homeschooled boy from Graham may soon enter the record books after growing a giant luffa gourd weighing an estimated 3.6 kg (7 lb 15 oz) — well above the current Guinness World Record of 2.82 kg (6 lb 3.5 oz).
Luting Shen, known as Tintin, speaks English, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish, and is also an accomplished pianist, tennis player, and classical music composer. One of his favorite pastimes is tending his backyard garden – 19 raised beds that he designed and built himself.
The luffa fruit, still hanging on the vine, will be officially weighed and verified at the North Carolina State Fair this week, where it will be present for measurement and inspection by agricultural officials.
Luffa (also spelled loofah) is a tropical and subtropical vine from the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) — the same family as cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash. It’s a popular summer vegetable in China, India, Vietnam, and other tropical countries.
From sowing seeds to watering, pruning, and harvesting, Tintin manages every part of his organic garden, growing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs — including tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers, lettuces, chives, kale, and cilantro.
