RE: weighing, moving, etc. (long one)

Debbie,

 As I read it, the highest point can change often, therefore, that is
how you determine whether or not you are measuring in the same place
every time.  By always measuring at the same place (highest point) you
have a method of tracking to gauge the rate of growth.  Also the OTT
method is an estimate only, I have read of pumpkins actual weight being
plus or minus 20 percent of the OTT charts.  So your 270 could be more
on the order of 324lbs!  Isn't that exciting!

I found SVB's in some of my smaller AGs (later plantings) and in my
Wyatt's Wonder, but the pumpkins are still showing growth so I am
planning on leaving them on the vine as long as I can.

I have left mine uncovered for the entire season, with a 415lb Bill's
Big and a few 150's they all seem to be doing well.  I will be making a
pumpkin sling to lift the beast onto a pallet for the weigh off.

This is my first year with the giants and I couldn't be happier with the
results.

I recall that you stated you were in N.Illinois.  Are you planning on
attending a weigh off?

Happy Growing!

Scott
Madison, Wi



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of yorunk@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 8:31 AM
To: pumpkin
Subject: weighing, moving, etc. (long one)

I had a question about est. weight.  According to the books I have read,
the OTT method is the best.  I also read that the measurements should be
from the 'highest' point of the fruit.  Won't using the highest point
for the measurements bias the weights heavy? In addition, how to you
ensure that you are measuring from the same spot each time?

It has been suggested that I cut the pumpkins since there are SVB's in
the vines of all 3 plants.  I have cut off some secondaries with SVBs,
but am not sure how to get them out of the mains.  I read about cutting
them out, but I am not sure where they are exactly.  I see the entry
point, but don't know where they moved and don't want to cut along the
whole vine.  The boys are at 270, 214 and 140 pounds. I am struggling
with that concept, although I need to listen to the more experienced.  I
want to get a few more pounds, but don't want to risk losing them.  It
has been very damp and cool at night and very humid during the day.  At
night I cover them with blankets and plastic, but the blankets just get
damp and there is moisture on the inside of the plastic in the morning.
I have resorted to putting the tarps back on them since rain is
forcasted.  Now I worry that there is not enough air movement under the
tarps to compensate for the humidity.

Once cut, how do I move them?  I was planning on using heavy tarps and
several people, but I need to get them onto a pick-up truck to take them
to a local feed store to get them weighed.  I don't have access to a
forklift or a lifting contraption.  I wasn't sure how to secure them
once in the truck without damaging them.  I was going to set them on
comforters in the truck.

Then how do I keep them healthy until Halloween?  I would probably have
to put them back in their cages since the animals have very healthy
appetites around here.  Then I run back into the question of rain and
cool damp nights.

Is it obvious that I am obsessed, paranoid, a bit depressed at the
potential of losing them?  Anyone have any pumpkin Prozac????????

Last year was my first attempt and the 'kin God's were not with me.  I
blame the rain and my dead cat's ashes I put on the plants.  The only
one I had (maybe 70 lbs) looked great but was soup on the bottom when I
rolled it.

I have had great advice from everyone this year, esp. David from IL.
Any end of season advice will be greatly appreciated.

Debbie

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