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Central PA

Is there some logic to the Christmas tree shape design as opposed to say square? Meaning: Do the first few secondary off the stem need to be longer than the rest? Is there a benefit?

What if you terminate them at 8-10' each side of the vine and your plant starts to take on a rectangle shape as it grows?

I guess the question really is: Does it matter what shape your plant is or is it just that you get a good 300-500 sqft plant to support the pumpkin? Has anyone found certain shapes to make a difference on the weight gains?

8/12/2004 3:15:08 PM

Ohio

Thats a very good question, I would like to know the answer to that myself.
Brooks

8/12/2004 4:38:15 PM

Sauk City Wisconsin

I would think that most call it the cristmas tree pattern because for most of the plants life it will have some what of a crismas tree look so eaven if ends up in a rectangle I would still call it grown in a cristmas tree pattern!

8/13/2004 12:12:03 AM

Eugene, OR

I'm just a lowly rookie in this game but I believe the Christmas tree pattern is based on the very popular belief that the pumpkin gets most of its energy from the plant behind it. Usually the length of the secondaries after the pumpkin are tapered down slowly until you get
the "Christmas tree" look. From what I've read, having too much plant after the pumpkin will actually take energy away from the pumpkin rather than contribute to its growth.

However, I have also read that backfeeding does occur so it makes sense to have some plant out past the pumpkin. Is backfeeding occuring because there isn't enough plant behind the pumpkin to support pumpkin growth? I certainly have no clue. The verdict is still out on exactly how large a plant you need beyond the pumpkin for optimum growth, or if any plant is needed at all.

Steve Davies(CapeCod Steve) is getting some amazing growth with his 1016 Daletas despite cutting the main right after the pumpkin. He's already at 700 pounds and still packing on 27 pounds per day with absolutely no plant past the pumpkin. Just goes to show how little we know about these amazing plants.

8/13/2004 12:54:22 AM

Deer Park, WI

Ideally, you will end up with a square shaped plant by the end of the season, as opposed to an x-mas tree. Most of the time it will resemble a tree, until later growth catches up to earlier growth. Often times, once a fruit has set, secondary vine growth slows or even comes to a halt, which makes filling out your designated sq footage a slow process.

BUT, and this a hyoooge but, i do stress the importance of growth beyond the pumpkin. I'll be fighting this battle till i keel over- growth after the pumpkin DOES contribute to the growth of a pumpkin, so long as the vines/leaves are mature. New growth carrries that light green color, its how you pick out those pesky tertiaries that spring up late season in the middle of your plant. These are sinks...stealing precious pumpkin juice from the fruit. However, you know a leaf is a source (providing nutrients) when it turns that nice dark green color. For those suffering from old leaf dieback and powdery mildew, that new growth in front of the pumpkin might be your saving grace, as it was mine last year. LOGIC FOLKS...apply it to everything!!!!!! The only one-way in a pumpkin plant is into the fruit, dont matter where it comes from!!!!

8/13/2004 9:05:39 AM

Southern WI

I agree with Joze, even tho I'm just a (3rd yr)rookie. I currently have 1 plant with 7 LEAVES on 11'8" of vine behind the pumpkin (last measurement, 166 lbs. I realize that's not huge, but it has been consistently growing since it lost everything at 53 lbs.

8/14/2004 4:04:29 PM