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

On October 13th, in Stoughton, Wi  at Eugsters there is a weigh off.
Depending on what you call home in  N.Illinois ( I hail from McHenry County),
Stoughton shouldn't be too far if you are interested.

http://www.eugsters.com/

http://www.cwpg.org/weighoffs.html

Good Luck!

Scott

________________________________

From: owner-pumpkins@hort.net on behalf of yorunk@comcast.net
Sent: Sat 9/13/2008 9:00 AM
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Subject: RE: weighing, moving, etc. (long one)



I don't think there are any weigh offs around me in N. Illinois, or at least
ones still going.  I saw in one person's diary that they taped the measuring
tape to the 'kin to get consistent measurements.  Not a bad idea, eh?

My neighbor went to a local fair and told me that my 'kin looked as big as 300
pounders.  That would be awesome.  I talked so someone at the local feed store
where I am going to take it to weigh it.  He said he has put his on pallets
and lifted the pallet into a truck to take it to get weighed.  Not sure if I
can get enough strong people for that.  I looked into the blankets, but am not
sure if I can get one in time.

So many worries, so little time.  We are getting rain again and are at 2.5+
inches for last night and today.

Debbie
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Scott G. Manke" <manke@in-form.com>
> 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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