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Carrollton, Ga.

what is a back main? is it just the first secondary? is a plant with 2 mains just one that someone has trained the first secondary as a main?
dude

7/2/2004 9:17:32 AM

Western Pa.

On the plants I've seen, shortly after the plant sends out it's main vine, another secondary main or "back main" appears from the stump. It can be trained just as the first, and fruits can be grown on it. It will grow secondaries and tertiaries as well.

7/2/2004 1:56:19 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I call it the "rear main". If the plant has one, for some reason not all do have a *true* one, I run it straight back opposite of the primary main. Like Jim said, it's just like the primary, or should be.
I consider a vine that is as thick as the primary the "rear", otherwise it's just a secodary. I grow secondaries off it and am trying this year to set fruit on them to act as a buffer against too fast growth on the set on the primary.
Does that make sense?

7/2/2004 5:58:34 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

How often does a vine have a true rear main. I don't think I have ever had one yet.
Doug

7/4/2004 5:46:45 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I think it's a random draw of genetics. Some have them, some don't. I'm blessed this year by having very good ones on several plants.

7/4/2004 11:10:02 PM