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Mid Michigan

Ok guys.......I admit it, i have brainfarts every now and then. I'm confused about how these pumpkins are measured.
When Kirby was small, i would lift gently, and measure around it...from bottom to top for circumference, then i read that you measure around the pumpkin from stem end to blossom end for circumference.....what a releif not to have to pick him up anymore. Now......the "ott" measurement,
Is that circumference ( at the biggest point around the pumpkin, stem to blossom end), and then over the top from stem to blossom, and then over the top from ground, to ground? I'm getting 64 inches in circumference at the biggest point around the middle from stem end to blossom end, and that equates to about 70 lbs. When i add up the other 3 measurements i mentioned above, it only comes out to 40 lbs on the estimation chart. Which is the correct way to do it?
Thanks....a way confused "cuzbiker"

8/1/2001 9:48:46 AM

Utah

you have circ right. - biggest point around from
stem end to blossom end - parallel to the ground

next is ground to ground over the top from stem side
to blossom side - some people say over the top
front to back

last is ground to ground over the top from side to
side - ie 90 degrees from the front to back measurement

for an illustration see:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/weight.html

good luck
gordon

ps- picking up your fruit is a no no - you might
damage them - last year i put a finger nail
scratch into on accidentally when it was a couple
of weeks old. really small - like 1/2 long and
the same width as a finger nail.
at the end of the season the scar was
about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.
the pumpkin was 520 lbs.

8/1/2001 10:22:54 AM

Herndon, VA

Also take a look at the article about measuring pumpkins, by Len Stellpflug, in the How-To section of BigPumpkins.com. The circumference measurement no longer has to be parallel to the ground. --Bruiser

8/1/2001 12:10:15 PM

Mid Michigan

Ok......thanks guys. That clears up some of the confusion. At least i can know it's approximate weight the right way!!
Cuzbiker

8/1/2001 12:28:54 PM

Chester Co., PA

Don Langevin's GiantPumpkins.com site has charts also. Go to GiantPumpkins.com and click on estimating weight.

There is also a nice diagram showing how to do the measurements.

8/1/2001 12:36:29 PM

Long Island,New York

Cuz...those charts work well for an average pumpkin...if you get an overly long pumpkin the circ. chart will not be very accurate. An overly tall pumpkin will also be somewhat inaccurate.Example...my 550Andrews99=141circ with an ott of 291....if I went by circumference it would estimate out as 630lbs.The ott chart was a bit over 500. It was a long low and wide fruit.very big circumference but almost a flat pumpkin.....G

8/1/2001 5:02:50 PM

Greencastle, PA

how much did it way?

8/1/2001 7:55:54 PM

Deer Park, WI

550 Andrews = 550lbs. Weird!

8/2/2001 9:17:08 AM

Utah

Brusier is right- it doesn't have to be parrallel to
the ground. but was the best way i could think of
to discribe it. anyway- glad you got it straightened
out.
ALSO....
I have an excel file that you can track your pumpkins
estimated weight with. you put in the 3 OTT
numbers and it gives you the estimated weight using
the OTT formula, it also gives you
the daily weight gain, a graph of daily weight gain,
plus a graph of the total weight. if any one is
interested just email me and i'll email it back
to you.
it comes in a daily or weekly format
also english or metric units is available.
email me at [email protected] and tell
me what version you want.

gordon
maple valley wa

ps- i have tomorrow off and i the program is
on my PC at work requests might not be filled
till next week.

8/2/2001 10:38:44 AM

Utah

just to clarify- the offer for the excel program
is open to anyone.

8/2/2001 10:44:40 AM

Kennett Square, PA

With all due respect to my esteemed colleagues. I fear too many measurements as it is not IF but when you start bending or breaking foliage that offers wonderful shade to your extended family (pumpkins for you in the hills of W.V.)
Don Langevin offers a measuring tape that requires only 1 measurement (blossom to stem) and has the estimated weight right below the "'s. I've found this to be within 10 pounds of other excel type formulas that typically require 3 measurements.
My concern is always beating a path to the plant, stepping on a vine or creating an access for animals after hours from the scent we all leave from visiting the 'fruits of our labor'.
Gary Liska
Kennett Square, PA

8/2/2001 11:16:58 PM