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Kokomo, Indiana

OK, on the vine that growes next to the pumpkin's stem (not the main vine) can/should I cut it off without the pumpkin dying out? Just wondering if its taking the growth of the pumpkin away??

7/31/2010 2:59:23 PM

Western PA

You really don't have a choice. That pumpkin will be touching it REALLY soon if it is not already.

A lot of folks will wait to the last minute, when the pumpkin is almost touching it. The reason to wait is because sometimes a pumpkin will abort for no reason. No one wants to waste a side vine if you don't have to.

If your plant is big , atleast 200 sq ft, it won't take away any growth from your pumpkin. If that pumpkin gets really big, you'll be cutting more side vines next to it.

Try to get the pumpkins stem as close to perpendicular (90 degrees)as possible to the vine. When it is soccer ball size you can move it a little every day(1/8 inch or so)to get it perpendicular to the main vine.

It is a good idea to put some captan dust on after any cut you make on the plant.It is normal for it to drip for a while after you cut it off.
Good luck,
Lee

7/31/2010 4:57:43 PM

East Jordan, MI

Ryan I left mine on. I wanted to keep the extra vine feeding if I could. It hasn't gotten very big, and I don't know if it is helping, but it is possible to get the vines turned and loose enough to go around the pumpkin. Take you time, move it a little each day and you can get it turned to be out of the way. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=138595

7/31/2010 10:12:06 PM

East Jordan, MI

Here is a pic of the other pumpkin. It is early on. I don't have a recent picture of it, but it is still attached at day 42 and not in the way at all.

7/31/2010 10:16:13 PM