From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ct

Every year i have about 5 or 6 secondaries that do not start or stunt after a foot or so. They are typically in the first 12 feet of the main vine.
Is there a common cause for this?

PG

8/25/2024 7:00:45 AM

Gourd Zone, WA

Genetics, nutrients, or low light levels.

In this discussion the issue was nitrogen and phosphorus:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=742809

You could maybe even go so far as to provide artificial light to stimulate the weaker side vines. Or a light-reflective weed mat/garden fabric should help.

Last, if it genetic then there may not be much that can be done. If you read some of the top growers diaries there will be a runty off type plant sometimes... but you shouldnt get that every year.

So, maybe just try a fertilizer that contains more oomph. Bone meal or alfalfa meal, or a fertilizer blend that has calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen particularly amino acid (protein) based... feather meal/ blood meal for example...? These three nutrients will strengthen the growing points. Wood ash/rock dust has minerals that might help too.

[Last edit: 08/25/24 8:21:04 AM]

8/25/2024 8:18:36 AM

Colorado

Cool soil temps early would be my guess.Its hard to get adequate nitrogen into the plant in spring.

8/25/2024 12:02:38 PM

Lloydminster/AB

For me thats a dead giveaway that my soil ph is to low with cold soil. I was always wanting to do a tissue test right then to find out what was going on but didn’t want to sacrifice a leaf.

8/25/2024 3:03:19 PM

Jericho Vermont

We had stunted secondaries on a couple of plants this year and blame it all on the soil becoming fully saturated by storms. The worst is saturated soil and then heat which is a real strong recipe for stunted vines.

8/25/2024 4:24:52 PM

Putnam Ct.

Hi Paul, Next year try some calcium nitrate to get them going? (greenhouse grade) Hard to say without soil test but that usually will kick start my plants. Cold wet will do that also like John & Joe said.

[Last edit: 08/25/24 4:38:41 PM]

8/25/2024 4:37:20 PM

Whidbey Island

I don't know for sure what causes them but I take a neighboring secondary and allow one tertiary to grow in and fill the area where the stunted secondary should have gone. After a few weeks you would never know the difference.

8/25/2024 5:53:32 PM

Ct

Thank you for the replies.
My patch seems to hit all the above-mentioned possible causes.

I will try the calcium nitrate and other amendments. Grow Lights will be tried as well.

Thanks for the help.

PG

8/26/2024 5:16:57 AM

Watlington, UK

It's impossible to know for sure. Whidbey is correct. Just allow a tertiary to fill in.

8/28/2024 3:17:18 PM