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Middle TN

I know its early and it may seem like a silly question but Im trying to soak up as much info as I can. Ive read about the Christmas tree pattern and thats what I plan to use but I wonder do you run the main straight or put curves in it? The pics all look like its a straight vine but there has to be some slack to prevent stem stress...right?? Sorry if this has been covered in another thread, I looked but couldnt find anything.
Thanks for any advice :)
Tammy

2/17/2010 8:55:16 PM

milford, CT,

Tammy,Read this article from the how to..section of the website. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=60
This should give you a good idea how to curve the main so that the fruit has room to grow and reduce stem stress. Mark

2/17/2010 10:02:30 PM

Corryton, TN

That article explaines it well but I will ad this. DON'T do the above procedure until after noon or you may hear a distinct snap!! The vines are somewhat brittle in the AM.

2/18/2010 6:24:46 AM

Rhode Island

i would advise any grower to try a pattern i can best describe asS box/pumpkin/pitchfork. this pattern eleminates any and all main vine/pumpkin stress concerns for the entire season

BOX ---- consists of a base, minimum 12 ft of main vine running straight down the patch to a pollinated pumpkin.allow sides to grow out 12 ft and dead end.

PUMPKIN ---- pollinate three fruit on the main starting at a minimum of 12 ft from base.

PITCHFORK --- after choosing your target pumpkin you terminate the main at the fruit. not allowing further growth of the main after the pumpkin.
on this last set of 12 ft side vines before the fruit ( a side on each side of the fruit )allow 4 or 5 third stage growth vines to grow. run vines in same direction as the main was growing before you cut it.
i would grow these third stage pitchfork vines out to a length of at least another 12 - 15 ft.
it sounds difficult but its really very simple and eliminates all possible problems of vine stress during the growing season.

pap

2/18/2010 8:34:54 AM

Petrolia,Ontario. Canada

Pap I have a question? the first set of side vines that come out from the stump due you let the tertiary vines grow to the edge of the patch also??


thanks Lonnie

2/18/2010 9:31:28 AM

Middle TN

That makes a lot of sense Pap. I may try that instead of the Christmas tree pattern. Not having to worry about stem stress or propping up the main would be great. Lord knows theres plenty other things to worry about.
Tammy

2/18/2010 12:34:01 PM

Quebec

pap do you cut the main vine right at the stem or past a few inches? Do you grow all your plants this way?
thanks jim

2/18/2010 4:50:39 PM

Rhode Island

lonnie

last year i let some third stage growth grow off the first set of side vines on my 1258 and grew it trained into a pitchfork
( just like the pitchfork trained after the pumpkin )
you can only do this if you start your plant 8 to 10 ft in from the gardens edge. im not so sure there is any benefit though.
a better way i think especially if your working in a limited area ? might be to draw the first 2 or 3 sides on an angle towards the back of the plant area making those first few sides that much longer. sort of like the feather pattern on an arrow.

jim

yes you cut the main at the stem. we leave no excess main vine hanging from the stem.sometimes we do a conventional bend the main away from the pumpkin method but thats fast becoming a thing of the past. we would need a great natural angle to go back to this method.( to many problems can come up )

pap

2/18/2010 5:14:17 PM

South Hero, VT

If you buy Dick's Tips 2, there are great diagrams showing what Pap is talking about. Get the book from Pap.

2/18/2010 7:11:16 PM

Quebec

thanks pap

2/19/2010 6:48:19 AM