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Ypsilanti Michigan

With all the rain we been getting, my vines are going crazy out there!!! The main vine is so thick and I can hardly wait untill I can set a pumpkin. QUESTION...... how long should I let my side runners get before I trim off the tips? They are bunching up together side by side as more new shoots keep coming, and it's getting hard to deal with them. Thanks much.

6/17/2004 3:53:00 PM

How long your secondaries get really depends on how big your patch is, the shape of your patch, and what style you are growing in (christmas tree, flag, etc.). It's different for everyone.

If you have crowded secondaries, don't feel bad to snip a few off where they are attached to the main vine. The leaves on the remaining vines will fill empty space, and your vines won't be as crowded. Many growers like to do this because it "airs out" the plant, and leaves more space to walk in between vines for weeding and spraying purposes.

6/17/2004 7:27:06 PM

Cologne / Germany

Not sure I read it in the how-to section here on BP, but the longest secondary should be terminated at 17 feet. This is the "max point" where the sec. vine needs more to feed itself than to help your plant any longer.
Reading through the posts many growers like to terminate between 9 and 13 feet.

6/18/2004 5:45:24 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Thanks Brigitte, and floh, now at least I know what to do with them.

6/21/2004 8:12:40 AM