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Northeast

What are possible causes for a normal main with little to no secondary growth? Thanks Dave

6/24/2007 3:50:25 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Good question David. Two years ago I grew three plants in another garden. It was a heavier soil, with some competition from some appletree feeder roots, I believe. I had poor secondary production(later two of the plants put out good secondaries a ways down the main).
I have one plant in this garden now. The secondaries are slower to develop, with a few early ones not developing. I assume it's something to do with conditions in this garden. My main garden plants are putting out good secondary growth...not perfect, but quite decent.

6/24/2007 3:59:53 PM

Ohio

I'm starting to wonder that myself at age 40 Dave.

But Oh, your talking about pumpkins, LOL.

Dave, you know alot more then me about these Giants but have you ever tried mycore at each leaf node? I been doing it and have had the biggest secondary(thick) growth I have ever had. Russ (kahuna5) gave me the heads up to try it. Maybe this will jump start them secondaries at them nodes, what do you think?

Brooks

6/24/2007 5:53:06 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Dave, I'm no expert by any means but I had a plant that put out very short secondaries that stalled or else just put no secondaries at all out. Eventually the plant also started to show signs of non developing flowers that would turn yellow and fall off long before they could reach maturity. After applying some superphosphate to the soil the plant took off and grew normal. I don't know if this is your problem but just offering a problem I had and actually solved. I can't say that about my 670 Daigle this year...its toast.

6/24/2007 9:49:13 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Low energy plants. What is that caused by? FIIK but could be literally hundreds of reasons. I would start with soil test then move to foliar testing. This is the way I solved my exact issue from a few years back.

6/25/2007 12:19:13 PM

N.Benton/Ohio

I am having a issue with my 1302 this year it has about 8/9ft main with longest secondary only about 1ft in length.1044 is in same patch same prep without any abnormalaties.just make ya wonder.

6/25/2007 1:06:16 PM

Netherlands

My 1302 is also experiencing this problem. Some secondaries stop growing at two feet. The plant is about 12 feet long and the secondaries are between 2-5 feet. My 1250 Kline has the same problem as does my 1044. The soil here is very sandy and I think that has to do with it. Seeing as these are not my main plants, I am not too worried about it. In my other patch (clay) all four plants are normal.

6/25/2007 1:14:41 PM

Northeast

Thanks Ben, really back to basics soil and tissue tests. Are there any funny things to check soil for if you say purchased compost from somewhere like heavy metals or other oddities? Dave

6/25/2007 2:40:45 PM

Ohio

My 832 Larue is almost at 15 ft with little stubbles as secondaries, I never used the mycore on this plant or the one beside it ether, Weird how a plant in the exact same soil side by side is shooting secondaries out normal while the other one is just has nubs, I think the only way to figure it out is a tissue sample of both plants and compare the samples.

6/25/2007 3:16:46 PM

Phoenix, AZ

I would start at the basics. Specifically, do you have the proper N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B in place. From there, I would look at going into other areas. I would put heavy metal contaminant possibility towards the back.

I highly doubt you have this problem but mine was Na becoming the dominant cation in soil solution which led to limited uptake of Ca, Mg.

Whatever you do, don't just let someone tell you: "oh you have limited energy just do Blah Blah". WRONG. Find out for yourself. Your problems are always unique to you.

Ben

6/25/2007 6:05:08 PM

milford, CT,

Anyone notice underdeveloped flowers also? I'm pretty sure that my problem is from a bad lot of manure in the fall(had corn maggots in it also...lost 1st round of plants) but what exactly is causing the problem is to be explored. I do know that I had no problems like this last year...and that I have 4 different seeds growing so I can assume it's not genetic. My guess is its a nutrient uptake problem caused by something out of whack in the soil. I'm sending out a tissue sample to see exactly what's making it into the plant but, the clock is ticking for pollinations so I am going to try a week test foliar feeding to see if they pick up the pace. I hate to go this route because by the soil test everything is balanced and should be better than any other year..but I have to try something now. Mark

6/25/2007 9:43:51 PM

Berlin,mi.([email protected])

I am having the same problem on some of my plants. The 1st few secondaries grew normal then the next ones didn't take off like they should. Farther out they seem to be growing normal again. It's very interesting that this is the case with several growers in different areas.

6/26/2007 5:51:23 AM

Delaware, Ohio

This is a very interesting thread. I have one plant that is just a vine. No secondaries at all. My 1177 Conley has just a few small ones. I know I'm behind by a week or so from other Ohio growers. But it just seems strange.
~CityGirl

6/26/2007 9:40:49 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Now that we are a few days out from this thread what has everyone experienced the past week? I too have 3 good sides then nothing for 5 feet then starting again. Has anyones corrected themselves and the "stubby" ones take off?

John (5150)

7/3/2007 10:31:27 AM