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Location

Message

Date Posted

Pataskala,OH

I think the chart is not very accurate for estimating the weight of watermelons. I was looking at some of the data and some have gone 35% light or even 100% heavy. Why does this happen?

8/10/2011 3:03:38 PM

sevierville, Tn

100% heavy ??

8/10/2011 3:09:47 PM

Pataskala,OH

Unless they measured wrong. But it was the Brights so it is probably accurate.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/WeighoffResultsGPC.aspx?c=W&y=2009

8/10/2011 3:12:42 PM

formerly RGG

The really odd shaped melons will sometimes go very light. The very fat ones often go very heavy. For an average melon the charts are good to go by. For odd shapes or extremely fat melons the charts can be a joke.Just consider the shape of the melon you are dealing with and you can get some idea if the OTT chart will get close to the correct weight.My conjoined watermelon won't even come close to chart weight because of it's extreme shape.

8/10/2011 3:47:58 PM

Go with the estimate charts. They have been adjusted to be pretty much accurate. In the case of the 227 and 219 GPC melons listed for 2009, I am not sure of the source of the ott, est. weight, and %chart numbers. My sister and I weighed melons in the field the day before the weigh-off. We did not tape them for weight estimates. We left those three data request spots blank on the registration forms.

8/10/2011 6:13:33 PM

Muddy Waters

A lot has to do with watering,if you have dry periods,you will end up with air cavities,that will throw the chart off.I bet if you research this your 35% lites were Air Melons!!100% percent heavy you will need to explain to me?

8/11/2011 8:40:11 PM

Bowdon, GA

Shape and watering. I've got much heavier melons since I started watering twice a day. With less water. Also the % of the ss measurement can be a big influence.

8/11/2011 10:01:47 PM

Bowdon, GA

Mr. Bright I have noticed that your melons are ussually really heavy for the length girth measurements. Do you water frequently?

8/11/2011 10:03:17 PM

Jake- I water every other day or every third day. Due to the water situation, I started a drip system this week and it will have to go at least once a day.

8/13/2011 4:28:23 PM

Bowdon, GA

Thanks Mr. Bright

8/14/2011 11:50:50 AM