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West Virginia

Does anyone follow a rule of thumb for pruning back foliage? I feel so lucky to have vigorous growth, but it seems like we have vines going in every direction and all have lengths of 4 feet or better. The best being the main at 12'. It makes me nervous to start hacking away without some expert guidance. I have males blooming and 3 females budding on the main at 9',10' and 11'.
Thanx for any help....PF

6/29/2000 9:58:43 PM

Commack, NY

pf,
i'm far from an expert, but i will tell you what i'm doing as far as pruning goes. basically, i try to grow a christmas tree pattern, main down the center, and secondaries off the main at angles. what i've done is prune any vines that come off of the secondaries (teritaries) dont' even let them get started. as soon as you see a bud on a secondary, pinch it off. you'll see that you have a nice organized plant. if you dont' prune the tertiaris you're going to have a jungle. let the secondaries grow till the end of your patch if you have room. then, when i have a fruit that i've selected as my keeper, i prune the vines near it so that it can grow and get some good airflow around the fruit. i dont' like to do major pruning till i have one i like. you don't want to start leaving gaping holes in your plant. it just opens you up for wind damage. just my two cents.
scott

6/30/2000 9:28:13 AM

pa,usa

After I got a few pumpkins going I did cut off a few vines.Like every other or every third secondary vine .I tryed to do ones that did not have any females on them just in case the worst happens and i need some later on . I felt bad doing it but now there is more room to work and it looks better .

6/30/2000 9:32:50 AM

West Virginia

Thanks for the advice. I, truely appriciate all of your help so far.
PF

6/30/2000 10:06:15 AM