TAYLORVILLE - It didn't take long for a friendly bet Tyson Naylor made to turn into what he calls an obsessive hobby.

In the spring, Naylor bet one of the farmers with whom he works to see who could grow a larger pumpkin, and he became determined to win.

The countless hours Naylor spent this summer growing two giant pumpkins at his rural Taylorville home seemed to exceed his own expectations, as one of them tipped the scales at more than 1,000 pounds. To add to the feat, Naylor had never grown a pumpkin, not even a small one, before.

"It's gone to a passion for growing these things, really," Naylor said. "To reach 1,000 pounds is for a first-year grower in pumpkins a huge accomplishment amongst the giant pumpkin growers. You basically set yourself in the next elite group once you reach 1,000 pounds."

The smaller pumpkin, named Florance, finished growing at about 640 pounds. The pumpkins, which are the female fruit and the seeds its offspring, are named after what Naylor described as two strong-willed women, his grandmother and his girlfriend's aunt.

Naylor's larger pumpkin, named Faith, kept growing throughout September and weighed in at 1,027 pounds this weekend at the Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-off at Didier Farms in Chicago, placing it as the third largest in the state. Illinois' largest pumpkin this year weighed 1,163 pounds, while the biggest ones in the country topped 1,500 pounds.

Although he hadn't ventured into the world of pumpkin growing before, Naylor had some background that would help him and a willingness to learn quickly. He works for Evergreen FS in Macon, specializing in soil fertility for corn and soybeans.

While pumpkins are different, he could apply some of the knowledge to his new hobby.

"It's basically the knowledge I've gained working for Evergreen FS that has enabled me to take it to the next level," Naylor said.

Once the smaller pumpkin stopped growing, he moved it outside the Evergreen facility.

He estimated spending 200 to 300 hours researching on the Internet and reading three books on the subject.

Naylor's girlfriend, Stephanie King, was a bit skeptical at first but became more supportive of his venture as her interest increased. She was amazed to come home every day to see the pumpkin change, as it could grow as much as 33 pounds a day.

"I didn't know it was going to be like this," said King, who helped with various pumpkin-growing tasks that took two people. "It was time consuming at first and a lot of work. I didn't realize all the things that can impact them."

Naylor also felt like he had the help of his father, who passed away about five years ago. He remembers while he was growing up how his father was very particular about how their garden looked.

"I kind of took all that in in doing this," Naylor said. "Since I lost him to cancer, it's kind of like a special bond we've got now and especially succeeding at this. I feel like he's been the angel on my shoulder watching over me, so to speak."

Naylor plans to try his luck and skill again next year by growing two more large pumpkins. He said it takes about 50 percent skill and 50 percent luck to succeed, given all the factors, including insects, disease and weather, that can affect the plants.

The seeds from this year's pumpkins will be used to grow next year's plants. Naylor doesn't quite know what he will do with the pumpkins after Halloween, but one thing is for sure: he won't be having them for dessert.

"That would be like eating your pet," Naylor said. "I wouldn't eat my pet. Plus, I'm not much of a pumpkin pie fan."

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