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Springfield, Oregon

I was doing some pruning on my 1302 Zuhlke this morning and accidently brushed the tip of the main with my foot. There was a pop and the main cracked about half way round the vine about 18 inches from the tip. Is there anything I can do to try to save it? The crack is 14 feet out from the stump and I only have one female to pollinate on it at about 13 feet.

7/7/2007 3:13:17 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

If it were me, I would survey if it is too far gone to just train a secondary or then I'd get a thin stick and some velcro straps or tape- make a splint and lay the stick parallel with the vine and tape or otherwise secure the stick to the vine ahead and behind where the crack took place. Captan the cracked area and let heal over before trying to get it buried and get some node roots going to help secure the area so as to be allowed to get the splint off before the vine gets thick. Doesn't sound like anything you would want to grow a big one on in the future though. I always keep a square tomato cage around the head of my main because those things can happen no matter how careful. Good luck:)

7/7/2007 3:58:06 PM