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Roseville, CA

Sorry, I'm really new to this and it is probably obvious to everyone else, but what the heck is OTT and CC?

8/9/2011 11:33:18 PM

Roseville, CA

What do OTT and CC mean?

8/9/2011 11:35:08 PM

Germany

Much easier than it seems. OTT means Over The Top measurement of the pumpkin. CC (circumference) is one out of three parameters which amount to OTT. The other two parameters are SS (Side to Side) and EE (End to End). Each pumpkin has its own shape, and to consider all contributions to its weight appropriately, each dimension is measured twice, more or less. That means CC takes into consideration length and width, SS consists of height and width, EE of height and length. Thus, the sum of these parameters is quite representative for the real weight of the pumpkin (plus-minus about 20 percent...the final weight will be reported as ...% heavy or ...% light with reference to the OTT estimated weight, as the wall thickness definitely contributes to weight, but you can´t measure as long as the pumpkin isn´t cut open). How to measure OTT? CC: measured around the pumpkin at height of stem and blossom, EE: measured over the top from stem end to blossom end with both ends of the tape measure hanging down to the ground , SS: the same as EE, but done from side to side over the top. Just check out some recent entries, others had asked how to find an OTT table, which tells you the correlation between OTT-inches and estimated weight...you will find helpful hints. Hope this answers all of your OTT questions.

8/10/2011 2:59:03 AM

Germany

Here you can find OTT tables and a video how to measure OTT:

http://greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/resources.php

8/10/2011 3:01:58 AM

Roseville, CA

Thank you very much. That is helpful. I keep up the chant...... GROW, BABY, GROW!!!!!

8/10/2011 9:37:47 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Grow, Team B, Grow...my only disagreement is that CC(circ) measurements (which you know by now by watching the how to video) are made parallel to the ground, not (at height of stem & blossom). Not tryin to create any prblm, just the way I saw the video!! Peace, Wayne
Grow, Baby, Grow!!!!!

8/13/2011 3:16:59 AM

Germany

Yes Wayne, I have to admit you´re right, CC is measured parallel to the ground. Only for "ideal" pumpkins it would be the same, as their stem and blossom would be at same level above ground and indicate the widest circumference parallel to the ground. Of course, most pumpkins don´t develop such an ideal shape. Anyway, for my regular OTT measurements I stick with the blossom-and-stem thing, as it makes it easier to measure in a similar manner, whereas it would be hard measure the parallel CC exactly parallel and exactly around the widest CC. Also, as the widest CC happens to be below blossom-and-stem level in many many cases (just imagine how the pumpkin would look if the widest CC was above blossom-and-stem level) the real weight will then be a positive surprise ;-)

And now a what-if question: In my diary I had posted a recent entry of a removed stem-split pumpkin (wheel shape, blossom and stem really representative for CC parallel to ground), OTT 131 kg, real weight indeed 131 kg. What if this particular pumpkin was grown in a 45 deg angle? same shape, exactly same dimensions, but one would have to measure CC parallel to ground? CC would definitely be larger, but would the smaller SS and EE serve as erfect compensation? S..t!, I should have kept this pumpkin to carry out a series of measurements at various pumpkin tilt angles to determine the OTT-AG-tilt function as a new correlation parameter for OTT measurements. Oh yeah, AGs are both X-treme sports and X-treme science...and X-treme fun.

8/31/2011 9:07:20 AM

Germany

sorry, must read "perfect compensation"

8/31/2011 9:09:44 AM