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South Mills NC 27976

Does anyone thin out secondarys by removing every other one?all mine seem to be about 18 inches apart.making it almost impossible to get into main vine area.also what does everyone do with back vine???has anyone ever grown pumpkins one.

6/11/2006 8:31:01 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Good question, I've wondered the same thing. Hope you get some good replies for you and I both!

6/12/2006 2:29:05 AM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Quite a few people do that, its just another pruning strategy. If you do, the leaves tend to grow larger to compensate, also it does improve the ventilation around the plant, which can be a factor later in the season when powdery mildew is an issue. Just a matter of personal preference, I guess. As for the rear main, I've never let it grow, due to space issues, but I have heard of people growing pumpkins on them, but then again, you can grow huge pumpkins on side vines, too.

6/12/2006 12:59:11 PM

Beach Park, IL.

I have been pruning off all my secondaries so far. I am wondering if it is a good idea to wait and let them grow out after I set my first fruit, and how many of them I should allow to grow.

6/18/2006 9:32:23 PM

Lexington, Ky

I've often thought that in my marginal dirt, that I should allow for as much vine growth as possible, to feed the fruit. The "anchors" on the secondaries are just too large for me to ignore.

However, my reasoning has taken a back seat to conventional giant growing wisdom and I do remove every other secondary with the exception of the first two on either side of the stump.

Pruning indeed saves much time and money in regards to foliar, insecticide and fungicide applications. I also like the idea that improved airflow is achieved.

6/18/2006 11:55:26 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

tacotac said: "I have been pruning off all my secondaries so far."

I wouldn't cut off ALL of the secondary vines unless this plant is intentionally being grown in the "SNAKE" pattern for space concerns. The classic "CHRISTMAS TREE" pattern can be had with either all or half of the secondary vines left on & seems to yield the best results.

6/19/2006 7:44:05 AM

Beach Park, IL.

Ok, I will leave the secondaries to grow then. I have another one growing by the stump.

6/21/2006 11:56:23 AM