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Estimating Weight of Giant Pumpkins and Squash
 

By Len Stellpflug-January 2005

The last update was dated January 2003 based on 800 measurements from 2001 and 2002. I compared data for 1203 fruit grown in 2003 and 2004 with the 2001 and 2002 data. Fruit grown the last 2 years are heavier for the SAME SIZE by approximately 3%. Therefore the equations used for the tables dated January 2005 are primarily based on 1203 fruit grown in 2003 and 2004. Most of the data was provided from the AGGC file by Mike Nepereny. The tables provide estimates for fruit down to 41 inch Circumference (approx. 30 pounds) and 91 inches Over-the-Top (approx. 21 pounds). Thanks to David Martin from Little Britain, Ontario who used Multiple Regression Analysis to obtain equations that best fit the data I provided. He prepared the Weight Tables from those equations.

The OVER-THE-TOP method (TABLE 1) provides the BEST estimates but only about 76% will be within plus or minus 10%. This requires adding Circumference to the two Over-the-Top measurements taken from ground-to-ground from side-to-side and end-to-end.

TABLE 2 uses only the CIRCUMFERENCE measurement. It DOES NOT provide good estimates for unusually high, flat, long or short fruit. About 54% of the estimates will be within plus or minus 10%. It is useful to estimate day-to-day increases.

The Circumference measurement MUST be the LARGEST circumference taken around the fruit near the Stem and Blossom point. It will not always be parallel to the ground. It may be above or below the stem and above or below the blossom point. The OVER-THE-TOP measurements from ground-to-ground in both directions must be over the highest point of the fruit. These must be taken straight down from the edges of the fruit.

Len Stellpflug



The 2003 Version is still available for historical purposes.

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