From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Joliet, IL

checked as many posts as i could cuz i didn't want this to sound stupid, but oh well, here it goes. when doing circumference measurements over the blossom area, i duct tape the tape measure on one side the blossom before the indented area and then the other leaving air between the tape and the blossom. this is what i do and have always done. if you actually tape the tape measure to the pumpkin and follow the surface and keep taping directly to the inward blossom area pumpkin surface, that is more surface area and a larger circ. in inches. i just want to get this straight for future ott numbers to know exactly my over and under percentages of my pumpkins with inward blossom areas.

9/5/2009 2:20:38 PM

Western NY

you have been doing it right.

9/5/2009 2:30:37 PM

Sequim, WA

Sometimes we measure air space. We could get some great numbers if it was surface inches, but that would throw the tables off. They are surprisingly accurate for most pumpkins when they are measured correctly. We can come up with lots of ways to delude ourselves with tape measures, but we'll only do it to our disappointment when the pumpkin hits the scale. From what I've seen of your diary you are better off pinching yourself to see if your dreaming than deluding yourself with inaccurate measurements. Like Andy said, your doing it right, and it seems you're getting a lot more right than using the tape measure. Keep it going and good luck.

9/5/2009 3:24:30 PM

[email protected]

don't try to follow vallies or fill voids with tape. woops - not yelling. broken key - stupid dog.

9/5/2009 3:35:18 PM

Joliet, IL

thank you all. i thought so but just wanted to clarify.

9/5/2009 3:49:27 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Go right over the space, I measure a lot of air on my big one... I agree with Tiller, you can really mess up your life with a tape measure!

When doing CC on my big one I get two air spaces, one at stem and one at blossom. I have faith in 'the method' of measuring so I put the tape right over and read it. (someone said I have a ten gallon innie on that one) and the tape fits right over the air on EE and CC.

9/5/2009 5:29:23 PM

Oklahoma State Record Holder

I like to draw lines on mine I can measure in the same place every time. I think it is more accurate using the same place on the fruit every time.

9/5/2009 6:55:50 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

I say, tape it however you get the smallest measurement.

Giving yourself a bigger OTT is only going to make the fruit seem % light when it goes to the scales.

Wouldn't adding inches to the OTT by measuring air space be like "adding" points to a golf card?

9/6/2009 10:23:33 AM

Joliet, IL

in this case meathead, the air space is less than the surface area. you get less ott with the air space by the blossom then if you placed it on the surface. try it and you will see.

9/6/2009 11:34:46 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I got enough dingos and close encounters recorded on my pumpkins I'm not drawing on them too. If you measure weekly AND just use sense, you will get the same areas every time. Just be consistent in HOW you measure, make sure the tape is straight, and it did go from last touch point on pumpkin STRAIGHT to the ground.

Meathead, look at the pictures of my biggest one, that blossom innie is best treated as air between touch points as 'flat pumpkin skin'. If it WAS pumpkin instead of air it would be curved and I'd have more tape; by measuring straight across airspace I'm minimizing the amount I measure.

You also never seen me golf. Measuring pumpkins is what I better stick to.

9/6/2009 1:17:39 PM

Cochecton, NY

I should stick to measuring pumpkins too! I only play golf once a week, but I (even though not practiced by the pros)measure every day! I seem to be gaining every day. Nothing like practice. Same as golf! Swing until you get it right every time. I could be doing this for a long time before that. Considering I have been playing golf for 28 years come next Wednesday! On my 8th b-day my dad took me golfing for the first time! I will be 36 on next wed, the 16th, so feel free to send any WR fruit to me as a present!lol

9/8/2009 11:39:59 PM

Wi

There is only one way to tape. If in doubt watch the video on the GPC site.

CC is the only real issue. CC should always be taken parallel to the ground around the largest CC....generally close to the blossom and stem. If the fruit is nasty shaped or tilted we still take the largest CC and still as parallel as possible to the ground.

Since we are basically taking a volume measurement odd shapes will be accounted for by the EE and SS measurements if we can't get a good CC measurement.

The system isn't designed to accomodate all shapes.

9/9/2009 10:01:06 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Good explanation Chris!

9/9/2009 12:19:02 PM