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Follansbee, Wv

I was wondering if it is common for secondaries to outgrow the main vine in length. My 905 Ailts, for example, has a 25 foot main, but some of the early secondaries are nearly 30 feet long. As most of you know, this is my first year growing pumpkins, and I must admit, I was not prepared for the size these things achieve, nor the speed at which they get there. Not mentally prepared, that is. The patch was as ready as I could make it. Anyway, is it common for secondaries to outgrow the main?

7/7/2005 7:30:57 AM

Western NY

if you let them, they will. most growers usually terminate their side vines at 10-20 feet. the main will usually slow down after fruit set so that would be normal for the secondaries to outpcae it eventually.

7/7/2005 8:23:22 AM

Montoursville, PA

When you terminate a secondary it sends a signal, to other vine parts, to grow even faster. Eventually your terminations will be causing the plant, to make flowers and finally the only other form, of survival left......a single pumpkin. This is at least part, of the management, to bring about a larger than ever intended fruit on your plant.

Somewhere between four hundred and six hundred square feet of secondaries with associated healthy canopy is what I believe the average may be today.

7/7/2005 10:22:09 AM

Utah

Usually the main is longer than the secondaires. But it seems like there are expection to everything in the AG world.

7/7/2005 12:16:14 PM

Deer Park, WI

Hey Monty- this may be why your fruit didnt hit the elusive 25" mark on day 10. Dont be afraid to start choppin those secondary vine tips. As Andy said above, a 500-600 sq ft. plant will typically have 10-20 ft secondaries. Start funneling that energy from the lettuce to the fruit!!

7/7/2005 7:33:26 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Sounds like snippin' time. Thank goodness too, I was running out of room! Maybe I can make 70" at day 20 or so after all.

7/7/2005 8:15:00 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Monty, I had a fruit split earlier this year due to...I think...snipping too many secondaries all at once. I would consider, if I were you to cut a few at a time. Just a thought from another nu'B. Good luck. Peace Wayne

7/7/2005 9:55:55 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Already thought of that Wayne. I snipped the very tips of four secondaries last night. I'll snip 3 more tomorrow, and 3 more Sunday. Hopefully that should be OK. I also culled the further set this morning. It wasn't growing very well anyway. Fruit 1 seems to be responding well. It gained 5 inches in circ, 6 in S-S and 2.5 F-B last night and gained 7 pounds. Weather has to cool and cloudy.

7/8/2005 7:26:20 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Weather has GONE to cool and cloudy, that is. Wish I could edit posts...or learn to proofread

7/8/2005 7:27:21 AM