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Georgia

I went to pollinate a pumpkin on my 815 hoffman and I seen the darn main snapped at about 13 feet. I dont know if a dog stepped on it or what. I had a female at about 11 feet out and I pollinated it. I just buried the part that snapped off. Is that what I should do or what??? Hopefully that pumpkin at 11 feet takes but what should I do????

7/5/2007 9:14:36 AM

Somers, CT

What I do in that case is bury the broken tip and let the nearest (and healthiest) secondary vine take over as primary. It works well and considering your options there is not much more you can do. It should not be too big of a deal and it is better than ripping the plant out.

7/5/2007 9:28:46 AM

Georgia

Good advice and I think thats what ill do. The only thing I was wondering lets say the one pumpkin on the main at 11 feet out takes would I have any luck just letting that pumpkin grow?

7/5/2007 9:34:53 AM

Somers, CT

It still has all the power behind the fruit to support it. PAP stated he likes to go at least 12-14 feet out to make sure he gets enough water and nutrients from the stump side. There is no problem with 11 feet if the female is set. You will have to wait for the secondary to train (grow a little more) before setting another one upline which will cost days. Anyone else, please jump in with your experiences. I can assure you nobody else but me has stepped on their main mid-season (yuk!) If you look at the heavy hitters, they usually have several plants growing at once. My farm is around 50x50 feet and is called "the backyard".

7/5/2007 2:12:40 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Jason....Wow, sounds familiar. I am exactly in your boat. But it looks my 11 footer is an abort so I am waiting on my 'new' main to mature. This has set me back greatly as it looks like at least a few days before I am back in business with a set on the new main. The break cost me dearly in terms of pollination window. But all is not lost, just late.
Plan A: hope the 11 footer grows.
Plan B: grow a late set on your new "secondary as main."

Good luck,
Frank

7/6/2007 7:24:56 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Edwards,
If you have to go with plan B, look on the bright side, you may have larger plant to push the fruit(unless you terminated your vines already).

7/6/2007 6:10:53 PM