From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Sacramento, CA

SO I am a rookie here and I have noticed on the growers' diaries that once the vines start going many folks are putting bamboo sticks around their vines. What is the purpose? are folks training the vines? or is that wind protection?

I am only at the seedling stage, so not worries yet. I have noticed that this takes patience, maybe someday I will have that.

Thanks all,

Matt

6/6/2006 2:07:05 PM

Coventry R.I.

hi matt, i am a rookie also, matt it does both, it trains the vine , to go the way you want it to, and it acts as a wind break, holding plant in place. frank4

6/6/2006 2:17:43 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The Sticks are to keep the vines down when you have a thunderstorm. Otherwise the wind will pummel your plants. It also helps mian vine so when you prune you do not prune off your main vine. Sounds Stupid but I bet you atleast 2 or 3 people do it this season,

6/6/2006 2:55:06 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Mark the main vine is what it was suppose to say

6/6/2006 2:55:56 PM

Sacramento, CA

Thunderstorms?!?! Oh, I am in Northern Cal, no thunderstorms here.

Thnks all!

6/6/2006 3:33:50 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I think that it also provides something solid for the tendrils to grab onto. That should also help with wind.

6/6/2006 3:42:13 PM

Deer Park WA

I think the sticks are used to keep the cats from pooping near the plant?

6/7/2006 1:36:52 AM

Doylestown, PA

You can sharpen them and use them as pungee sticks to defend against woodchuck attacks...

In all seriousness, I started using them only to train the direction of my vine but have found that they do provide good protection from wind.

6/7/2006 8:15:14 AM

Utah

acupuncture for pumpkins... ssshhh I’m trying to keep it a secret !

6/7/2006 1:06:11 PM

Long Island,New York

Slug skewers

6/7/2006 1:20:33 PM

Mocksville, NC

oh thought you said ticks lol

6/7/2006 3:26:34 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Right to the barbie G...sometimes the plant reaches for the sky and when the weight sez it's time to run will snap as they come down..so double X's with the sticks are necessary.. one X above to hold it down from the wind and another below to bring it down slow...waiting a whole year to grow these things..when ya got a couple of weeks to get em running...sometimes that extra stake or two can be the difference of having a main or starting a secondary. GrowEmBig! Chuck

6/7/2006 4:49:11 PM

ENGLAND

Just a very helpfull tip for everyone using stick's, regardless of what they are made of, and that is to get used plastic 35mm film cans, punch a hole in the lid and then slide them onto the end of the sticks until the bottom of the can touches the end of the stick's. This not only helps to stop the sticks ripping the leaves to shreds but also helps identifying the ends of the sticks when leaning into the plant's. Another point also is that so often folk get eye injuries from such things as sticks poking up out of the ground and the film cans prevent such injuries. These film cans are usually just thrown away by the photo lab's and i used to pick up about 100 at a time from my local film processing lab.

6/8/2006 7:42:59 AM

Sacramento, CA

Man you folks are funny. All this talk about sticks, I had to go buy some, now I use them for everything, chop sticks, bunji sticks, sword fighting, BBQ skewers for those damn squirrels. They sure are handy.

I have to say, i am not worried that i am going to poke and eye out with them.

6/12/2006 6:53:51 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Emma, go out right now and buy cool diff. colored safety glasses for everyone in your household if you are even thinking about sword fighting with bamboo sticks...seriously...you could put an eye out...and also, don't run by the pool...or with a fork in your hand.... Peace, Wayne

6/13/2006 12:14:21 AM

ENGLAND

Emma. Have you ever seen someone who has had a cane or stick puncture their eyeball when leaning over plants supported by canes or sticks. I know from past experience that it is not a very nice sight to see someone running and screaming from the garden with blood pouring from an eye socket.

But, if you are not worried by the prospect of possibly losing the sight in one, or even both eyes, then i guess you should be thinking about the health & safety of others who may venture into your Garden.

6/13/2006 6:17:16 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I remember thinking the other day that if I was to lose my balance, I'd impale myself with bamboo. Also, in a side note, I have already punctured half a dozen leaves with them. But the gain is worth the damage caused (unless I poke an eye out) then that would just suck

6/13/2006 1:06:43 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

free sticks from the woods works just as well.
Glenn

6/13/2006 3:42:22 PM

Sacramento, CA

From the woods?!?!? I hardly have room for a patch in my city backyard, let alone woods. Closest thing to woods in my 'hood is the garden department at Home Depot.

As an aside, I was able to successfully place 6 sticks in the patch today without injuring myself... I must just be lucky.

6/13/2006 7:05:38 PM

Salmon Arm, BC

Hi Matt. I second what Lisa said. I have found that sticks will scratch and damage your vines. I use smaller peices of bamboo or PVC. And yes..wait till your first big blow and see what happens if they're not tethered down!! Also...place them in the hottest part of the day when the plants are malleable otherwise if you do it first thing in the morning when they are full of water and taut....SNAP! ouchy....ps...I'm a newbie here too and love your questions! The replies are answering lots of mine! Deb:)

6/29/2006 4:42:38 AM