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San Jose California

Is it ok to leave a few tertiaries on the plant--mine are
filling in a couple of sparse areas---and how long should they be allowed to grow--maybe 5 ft or so?

7/26/2012 2:51:50 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I have been told to let terts fill in space where old or dead leaves were. One plus is the tert leaves prevent those bare spots in the patch from drying out faster than other areas where leaves are plentiful. Actual length depends on your growing area, but don't let them grow too long as you want the energy towards the pumpkin.

7/26/2012 3:46:17 PM

Stanwood, Washington

I am trying to do a pitchfork pattern where you terminate the main at the pumpkin and then let the tertiaries grow forward off of the last secondary on each side. Unfortunately the tertiaries just arent growing. I think the pumpkin is taking up all the juice.

7/26/2012 5:36:48 PM

San Jose California

My tertiaries are also slow to grow, but like Luke said, they appear to be providing a decent canopy over the bare ground and vines.

7/26/2012 6:20:51 PM

Nottingham, UK

It depends when they grow as it will be slow once the pumpkin kicks in.

I have backfilled the area behind the stump with tertiaries
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=182228

and they have all been terminated as the area is all filled now although you cant quite see it in this picture
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=184506

I have another vine (secondary or tertiary?) coming out of the stump and i am running it on top of the main to make up for all the old leaves.

Other than that, no other tertiaries for me

7/27/2012 6:22:29 AM

Ashby, MA

As, one expert grower told me, "we're not growing salad." So, with that advise I don't worry too much about the secondary's after the pumpkin. I always cut off the tertiaries.

7/27/2012 11:40:37 AM