From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Coventry R.I.

hi, just wanted to no, when time for pruneing, what do you use knife, razzor blade ? how far down. say your taking a male flower and its a long stem, do you cut it right to the vine, as far a xmass tree, do you cut every other , and do you put anything on it for the cut. thanks

1/20/2006 12:19:39 PM

Norton, MA

Anything sharp is fine, but if you use a razor make sure it's very sharp, and if you use a knife get a serrated one. Cut all things right down to vine level. If you don't, then the dead remaining part will rot, and the rot will continue into the vine. Most people I know cut every other vine on each side. So on the right you would: cut-leave-cut-leave. Seperately on the left: cut-leave-cut-leave and so on. Remove the first two side vines anyway. AleX Noel.

1/20/2006 3:10:09 PM

addison Il

we used pruning shear thingy or a branch cutter to get in the patch after my mistake of going in it and falling LOL anything sharp works as long as its a clean cut. From what i have read there are many ways to prune your vines depending on which pattern you choose flag style, xmas tree style and so on. There are many ways and tricks to pruning the vines just have to try whatever will work for you each grower is diffrent and has there own ways

1/20/2006 6:25:54 PM

Montoursville, PA

I love the feel and function, of a fisherman's filet knife. It is easy to keep razor sharp. It stands up in a quart jar, of sanitizing liquid, between plants and from day to day.

1/20/2006 10:20:47 PM

Coventry R.I.

thanks for the answers frank

1/21/2006 10:34:16 AM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

I use a stay sharp paring knife. Works great!

1/21/2006 10:53:07 AM

Central Oklahoma ( water_proofer@yahoo.com)

Just Dont prune with a weedeater!!! LOL

1/21/2006 1:46:11 PM

Rhode Island

any sharp knife will do. we spray exposed area with a 10% solution of bleach and water. do not bury until next day when freshly cut area is dry.
by late season if the results are not as anticipated its ok to prune with the edge of a shovel ( i do ) lol

frank

if you cut every other side keep in mind that the sides you leave will have much bigger leaves. we selectivly prune a side here and there if the area is to narrow.
if you start training you sides (from the begining of season ) to run on an angle back toward the base,( picture the front angle of a pair of jet fighter wings )your first several sets of sides will have more space in between rows and you wont need to cut as much.
remember, the plant is nothing more than a source of food supply for that pumpkin. the pumpkin draws its food from anywhere it can on the plant. not just before the fruit as some initally thought.
dick

1/22/2006 9:18:13 AM