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Follansbee, Wv

Look at this pic and the one after it:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=34596

The main vine has now grown directly over the offending leaf, and it's entire weight is now resting on the leaf stalk. I was hoping the vine would turn over, but it's too thick for that. I'm afraid the weight of the main is putting too much strain on the stalk at that node and something is going to give. For the time being, I have propped the main up some, but it wants to run on the ground. Should I cut this leaf away, and what should I do to the wound after I cut it? What ever I do, it has to be today. At the rate this thing is growing, I can't play around.

Thanks

6/6/2005 7:57:05 AM

Indiana

Leave it be. Looks like its laying down fine to me!

Tom

6/6/2005 8:55:17 AM

I usually dig under the leaf stalk when that happens. The stalk lowers and ends up below ground level and the main vine will lower and end up resting on the ground. You might hit a tiny root or two but it seems to work for me.
OR you could berm the soil up under the main so it's resting its weight on the soil and not on the leaf stalk.
OR just hold the main up with the stakes until the plant gets some more growth on it, then whack off the problem leaf.
OR just let it be like Tom said and let it work itself out. lots of options!

6/6/2005 10:45:17 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Thanks Tom and Brigitte. I posted some better pics of the problem. They should be up later today hopefully.

6/6/2005 12:08:08 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I had one like that this year,I dug under the leaf a bit and left it alone,I was worried all the vine in the air was going to snap it off at the base but one night it just fell over sideways whole plant rotated 45 degrees.I was lucky and got away with it supporting one big leaf on either side of the plant would have prevented it.

6/6/2005 12:37:30 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Latest pics can be found in my diary.

6/6/2005 3:25:19 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

How good is your wind protection?

If the plant is out in the open and moves alot when windy I would hack that leaf off from fear of the whole plant pin wheeling. Then you could use bamboo stakes or plastic coat hangers(cut up) to hold the vine on the ground.

If your wind protection is good and the plant does not move when windy you may want to just let it be.

Personally if it were me I would hack that leaf off and bury the vine with dirt...Good luck on your decision

6/6/2005 3:56:19 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Wind protection at this time of year is good. There is a very thick tree line across the road from the patch. In June our weather comes from the West and the tree line shields most of the garden from low level winds. In July the weather begins to shift into the West-Northwest, then into the North in the fall. I oriented my plants so that the trees will shield them during June, and later in the year as the weather turns, it will be travelling along the axis of the main vine. In other words, blowing from the stump towards the tip. Instead of trying to tumble the plant, it will be more like trying to uproot it.
I am considering Brigittes idea of digging under the stalk slightly, in a broad pan shape and allowing the main to try to overcome this. I am also waiting on some advice from my mentor :)
If worse comes to worse, I'll cut the leaf. As my 17 year old daughter said, "It may hurt the plant a little, but if the main vine breaks, that would be worse." Who can argue with that?

6/6/2005 4:26:06 PM

Montoursville, PA

Anything that enables your plant to go to ground as soon as possible is best. A couple of leaves here or there a canopy does not make.

6/6/2005 4:35:36 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I heard that...

6/6/2005 5:13:32 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Thanks for all the replies. I just had another look at it. My final determination was that the main had no chance of reaching the ground without some damage somewhere. My gardeners gut told me to cut it. The deed is done, the vine is down.

6/6/2005 5:41:49 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Haven't look at the pic's yet Monty my response is to your wind protection...trees across the street are not what an early plant needs..AG's are amazing as to what they can take and keep going but it doesn't take much to snap the tip of a main...move the wind break in close and expand it as the plant grows...Nothing worse then seeing that tip on the ground in the morning! GrowEmBig! Chuck

6/6/2005 8:58:14 PM

Phoenix, AZ

couple of leaves here or there a canopy does not make...says Yoda.

Sorry, just thought of how he always speaks backwards and that sentence caught my attention.

HEHE

6/7/2005 12:31:20 AM