From

Location

Message

Date Posted

vancouver canada

the messages on board state people are going to grow in a christmas tree shape. i do not know how the vines grow or the secondary vine or if the secondary produce pumpkins. can anyone explain the nature of vine growth and the reasons for growing certain ways (x-mas tree) thx north country

5/27/2001 1:58:04 AM

Rush, NY

Secondary vines produce Pumpkins and male flowers just like the main vine. Most growers prefer to have their prize fruit on the main vine, but sometimes it aborts or becomes mis-shappened and a side vine fruit is kept.
I would not grow my plants in "Christmas Tree" pattern unless I was "Double planting", where one plant goes opposite the other. I put the plants in the center of each plants space because roots travel a long ways in ALL direction in tilled soil. I train my vines to cover the entire area, and prune to have a minimum of 2 feet between runners. The first side runners are curved in the opposite direction of the main runner. Curve as many as needed to fill up the space.

5/27/2001 7:28:14 AM

Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Don Langevin's web page is www.giantpumpkin.com and has information about growing patterns. These are sample articles form his books.

5/27/2001 12:57:48 PM

Saskatoon, SK

The question is when I should start pruning? If I only have about 600sq ft to work with should I hold back on the nitrogen fertilizer a bit until the fruit is set then prune it tight and pour on the N?

5/29/2001 10:44:59 PM

South Hill, Virginia

dcoupal,

I have a 600 foot patch also and I've already started pruning out of necessity. I had to train my main vine carefully and pick and choose which secondaries I keep. If the 4 lbs per leaf that I've read about is accurate I think I can still produce a large fruit if I utilize my space wisely.

I think after setting a fruit most people would recommend lowering N because that is more for leaf development. When I set my fruit is when I will increase my potash as that is what promotes fruit development. The way I remember what fertilizer to use, and when to use it, is that the three numbers (xx)-(xx)-(xx) correspond to (leaves)-(roots)-(flowers and fruit). Things that rhyme stick with me longer:)

5/29/2001 11:20:49 PM