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Kansas City, MO

My vines are down, running, looking good. But last year I had some problems with vines rotting and would like to hold them down physically rather than use dirt. Suggestions appreciated. thanks.

Greg

6/8/2005 7:08:50 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Bamboo stakes are the cheapest. I cut mine into 15" long pcs. and use two per vine at 1' intervals or in between every leaf node. Push two crossed in an X shape and secure deeply into the ground over the vines internodal section. Then burry the vine using the native or similar soil. Placing micorhias fungie is optional at the vine nodes. I Water when required liberally with a mixture of organic ferts. and molasses + compost tea.

6/8/2005 7:31:53 PM

Springfield, MO

Cheaper than bamboo stakes, and reusable...plastic coat hangers cut in middle and cut off the hook and you have two U-shaped pieces left that work perfectly as vine staples. Bill Ackermann gave me this tip, and they work great. -- Chris

6/8/2005 8:16:58 PM

canal winchester ohio

I use bamboo skewers I get from the dollar store. $1 for a pac of 100.....

6/8/2005 8:38:23 PM

canal winchester ohio

pic of them in my diary
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=35015

6/8/2005 8:56:23 PM

South Western Pa

Paint stirrers, wider than bamboo, free from Home Depot or Lowes. Just pick a few up whenever you happen to be in the store and save them for the season.

6/8/2005 11:28:00 PM

Montoursville, PA

So that's where all the cotton picken paint stirrers went.
Cumshaw artists have shifted from the active military supply, to the civilian pumpkin growers.

6/9/2005 8:26:04 AM

Somers, CT

You can also pick up a bag of green tomato stakes at Agway. They are the bamboo stakes Kahuna is talking about. I keep the bag close to hand every time I go to the patch. Make sure if you are guiding the vine in a certain direction that you do it GRADUALLY. The snap of the vine breaking off (and your season being cut short) is deafening.

6/9/2005 9:05:11 AM

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Plastic chopsticks from the dollar store. Basically the same as the bamboo skewers, but stronger and re-usable.

6/9/2005 9:23:19 AM

Commack, NY

Im a coat hanger man myself, works good, reusable.

i have heard that cedar shakes cut into strips works well also :)

6/9/2005 9:36:05 AM

Utah

I like the hangers too ...
here is a picture with some in it.
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=34994

6/9/2005 10:09:43 AM

Kansas City, MO

Thank you all very much. I'm going hangers. I'll report back soon.

6/9/2005 10:27:28 AM

Indiana

The bamboo skewers can be tilled in at the end of the season hangars cant. (they will be hard to find among all the vines and leaves later) I would go with the skewers.

6/9/2005 11:06:57 AM

Utah

I haven't had a problem finding my white plastic hangars at the end of the season. I just look at every vine as I yank up the plants and collect them. yup there are always a few here and there that you don't get the first time through but even if you hit one with the tiller it won't hurt the tiller.

6/9/2005 11:47:12 AM

Ohio

Why do you guys leave them in the ground untill the end of the season? After the vine is laying down I cover it with dirt, I take the bambo and move them foward on the vine. Is there a reason for leaving them?

I like that plastic hangar idea!

Brooks

6/9/2005 10:36:35 PM

[email protected]

I'm with Brooks. Once the adventitious roots take hold I see no reason to leave the bamboo stakes in place any more.

6/9/2005 10:41:57 PM

Springfield, MO

When I buried vines intensively, I removed the coat hanger staples, but as long as you don't push them down too far to where they impinge the top of the vine it really doesn't matter. -- Chris

6/9/2005 11:35:57 PM

Utah

I move mine out with the vines as they grow ... but it seems like I always miss some ... or should I be honest and say that I get lazy and end up leaving some in the patch. I yank my plants at the end of the season and throw them away for me they are easier to find at that time.

6/10/2005 8:21:45 AM

Lexington, Ky

ebay is a great place to get plastic hangers....about three cents a piece if you have patience. Otherwise, about .33 cents at WalMart.

6/10/2005 4:44:44 PM

Kansas City, MO

On my fifth day using hangers and they are working great, I'm pinning the main down right to the ground so it will starting getting some new root growth. But, I see someone said not to pin down too hard, true?

6/12/2005 9:59:01 PM

Lexington, Ky

Greg, I can testify in regards to pinning down too tight. I pinned a main too tight just yesterday...the main grew about 3 inches in 12 hours and it received a light "skinning" from the hanger as it "pushed" it's way thru.....yikes....

6/13/2005 11:32:27 AM