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Glen Allen, VA

My bushel gourd is taping 229 OTT and seems to be almost done growing. On the watermelon chart the estimated weight is over 320lbs. On the pumpkin chart the estimated weight is 277lbs.
It is approximately 60 days old. My weigh off isn’t until September 29th. I’m afraid if I wait until then it will start drying and losing weight. I have ordered a hanging scale that I might hook up to the lifting tripod to get a weight.
I don’t see any other gpc weigh offs earlier that are close to me. What are my options on getting it officially weighed early somewhere?

9/4/2018 3:55:07 PM

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=40&p=613654

Here is a discussion. Some people seem to think the AG chart might be more accurate. No chart for them yet.

9/4/2018 5:41:21 PM

Partlow,Va

There is a new BG chart that Steve Connolly made for 2018. It can be found on the GPC page under resources I think. That is a very nice one, within 20 pounds of the World Record! 229=261lbs

9/4/2018 7:37:38 PM

Partlow,Va

Dustin, it is the one that says Portland handout. Steve did a nice job putting all four charts on one page.

9/4/2018 7:41:59 PM

Glen Allen, VA

Thanks Hank, I just found the bushel gourd chart on the gpc site. I didn’t know there was one.

9/4/2018 7:46:39 PM

Webster Groves, MO

How does the skin of the gourd look like? Is it green with smooth skin or is it aging with brown streaks? If the skin is smooth and young looking, keep it on the vine. You should make it to the weigh off with little or no loss of weight. Even if you choose to cut the gourd, it will be very slow to lose weight. They can take up to 6 months to dry out. Best of luck!!!!

9/4/2018 10:29:54 PM

sevierville, Tn

you could come to the KY weighoff on sept 15, a bit of a drive but a great place for a record !

9/5/2018 6:19:13 AM

Lexington, Ky

We learned last year that there are two ways that BG growers grow and measure. Are you growing your BG on it's side or on it's blossom?

9/5/2018 9:31:23 AM

Zimmerman, Minnesota

Which way follows the chart closer? Or is there a way that typically Weighs in lighter or heavier?

9/5/2018 10:36:25 AM

Lexington, Ky

My 250.5 measured 226" (grown on blossom) and estimated weight came in at 316 lbs, -21. I'm not certain what chart was used for the estimated weight.

It wasn't measured on it's side for comparison purposes.

I had another BG that I measured both ways and there was a 4" discrepancy between the two methods. This was on an estimated 212 lb fruit. I didn't officially weigh it though. I would think that measuring them like Giant Pumpkins would be more accurate and use Steve's chart for best practice.

Steve's chart shows that 226" is approximately 253...pretty much dead on.

9/5/2018 11:52:01 AM

Orient, Ohio

Jamie we used the watermelon chart last year as advised for Hamilton.

9/5/2018 12:59:22 PM

Glen Allen, VA

My gourd is growing on its side like you would grow an AG. No splits but heavy cantalouping. I’ll post some more pictures in my diary.

9/5/2018 1:07:28 PM

Lexington, Ky

Good pics in your diary. Looks like it has some shallow ribs. Fyi, I weighed my 250.5 on official scales (at the weigh off) once on Friday night around 9:00pm, next around noon the next day (Saturday). It lost 1.5 pounds.

9/6/2018 9:46:52 AM

Glen Allen, VA

That is significant weight loss which might explain the variability of weights compared to OTT measurements. That’s about 2 lbs per day. In just two weeks you could lose almost 30 lbs.

9/6/2018 1:42:18 PM