From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Long Beach, CA

Sorry if this has a very obvious answer but... A fruit set on my AG plant is growing such that it is in contact with both the main vine and the secondary coming out at the same node. Should this secondary be removed? It looks like the vine will get torn apart if it isn't.

Thanks,
Oliver

6/10/2005 8:15:50 PM

Rhode Island

oliver
im not sure how big your pumpkin is however there are a few things you could do to stay out of trouble

1. cut the secondary in question especially if you are not experienced with vine positioning
2. cut the main vine tap root which is right under the main where the stem meets the vine ( in a week or so or as soon as the fruit starts to lift you may need to cut additional tap roots on each side of the pumpkins main
the only time this will not be necessary is if the pumpkin grows on its stem ( ass up in the air )

you mentioned the pumpkin was in contact with the main vine.
if by that you mean the pumpkin is growing in the same direction as the main and is on top of the main you will need to movethe pumpkin a couple inches a day until the fruit runs 90 degrees ( or as close as you can get to 90 ) from the main

being this early id set another one or two on the main and go for a better natural angle because usually if the fruit comes out in such a bad angle as i think you have,it can spell problems, stem stress, and sometimes tearing off of the pumpkins stem
especially if you are not experienced at it

hope this helps

dick

6/10/2005 9:12:54 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

If that's the pumpkin you're going with, I'd take that secondary vine out of the picture in a heart beat! If it's still early for your local weigh-off, I'd see what else comes along...just my two cents worth.
Best wishes,
Duff

6/10/2005 9:16:56 PM

Long Beach, CA

Thanks for the responses! I went head and removed the secondary. I will however pollinate future flowers and cull this fruit if I get a more promising one. The fruit's angle off the main vine is about 60° off the main vine; I've started gradually moving it towards a perpendicular position as pap suggested.

Oliver

6/11/2005 1:24:01 PM