From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Phoenix, AZ

OK, I am off and running with a 5 ft vine and about 1/2 a ft per day of growth. Secondaries are coming in and longest are about 1 ft. When should I start pruning them? I want to prune every 3rd this year so I have room to move around the plant. Any other suggestions on how much to prune is appreciated.

2/27/2007 12:23:11 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Ben, no expert here, but would think that the earlier the better....smaller wound on plant, and less energy wasted on unwanted growth. I treat all plant wounds with Captan...just a light dusting, wherever I clip something off. Hope this helps. Peace, Wayne

2/27/2007 12:48:30 AM

Ohio

Ben, I going to try something simular as you, but Im only pruning enough secondaries on just one side of the plant so I can have easy access to walk in and be able to spray the underside of the leaves and to be able to check the main and re bury vines when needed.As long as I can reach everything from one or two spots from removing a few secondaries Im good to go. The less of the plant I have to remove the more roots Im going to have to feed my pumpkin. I always liked the idea of having as many roots as possable but still being able to get into my plant just enough to wear I could reach everything ok with out walking all over the rooting system.

Brooks

2/27/2007 3:10:59 AM

Rhode Island

any pruning second or third stage is done when small enough to snip off with your fingers.

2/27/2007 4:25:24 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Ben,
I agree with Wayne and pap's suggestions, on the merits of pruning early on.....but I grew a few plants one year, where many of the secondaries grew a little ways, then self terminated into a clump of immature male flowers. You may want to make sure the secondaries are growing normally, before pruning.

2/27/2007 1:15:37 PM

Montoursville, PA

As to cuts.....the finest cutting off tool I have come up with is a fish filet knife kept razor sharp. The sharper the cut the faster the heal will be which also means the less chance for any health problem to adhear or enter.

2/28/2007 9:28:24 AM