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Grittyville, WA

Looking at some numbers here. I see from diary posts and the best one I grew last year... it seems like it's possible to say that:

Highest lbs per day x 40 = estimate of final weight.

Or the reverse,

Weight you want to achieve / 40 = lbs per day you need to achieve.

Seems so simple just wanted to throw it out there.

12.5 lbs per day = 500 lbs
20 lbs per day = 800 lbs
25 lbs per day = 1000 lbs
40 lbs per day = 1600 lbs

Ron W hit nearly 60 lbs per day and almost hit 2400. (Congrats. And, yes, WOW). I'm sure this is decades old news to long time growers but it just seems so accurate and useful...

4/13/2017 6:16:21 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Glen, so if at day 35, my kin maxes out at 30# max growth, then I should look for a 1.2K# pkn? I guess my question is actually, when during the curve should you expect the peak weight gain? Sorry for curving your theory? Peace, Wayne

4/15/2017 2:05:31 AM

Rhode Island

glen
interesting theory. will try it out this year once top daily average starts to drop off.

wayne & glen
the only catch to glens theory is that not all pumpkins have the same amount of daily highest weight gains.
a really good pumpkin will carry a max daily average for well over two weeks, ----some only hold for a week or so.

ditto as well that some pumpkins max out daily gains early in the growth cycle while some much later.a lot depends on you,the seed,your soil,your program.

either way though its an interesting comparison glen

pap

4/15/2017 7:20:49 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks, pap!! Peace, Wayne

4/16/2017 1:12:57 AM

Grittyville, WA

It's just a guess at the final weight. But it's mathematically logical... pumpkin growth is similar to a bell curve... Multiplying the height of the curve by the period of growth (80 days) and dividing by two works because with a bell curve the average gain over the entire curve is halfway between the highest gain and zero. The small gains up to ten days after pollination and beyond day 90 days after pollination--yes, are important--but not significant to the mathematical model, which basically zeroes them out.

Yes--there will be variations in the curve, and period, and the OTT based daily-gain-estimate, and the final weight can probably differ by 20%.

My goal is to get a squash up to 35 lbs daily. Not sure this formula will hold for squash though.

4/18/2017 7:55:27 AM