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Mount Prospect,illinois

My plants seems to want to grow straight up. Should i do anything to coax it to the ground? Currently, the plant is only about 2 feet long and i have staked the stump and used a cloth tie to gently coax it to grow towards the ground (horizontal instead of vertical). How high do these things get before they decide to run? What height should i be concerned about breaking if i leave it alone?

6/19/2006 10:08:38 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Get some wind blocks around also. A plant standing up is just asking to get a tip snapped. Stake an X above to hold it down and an X below to bring it down slowly and avoid a kink. Only make very small minor adjustments, never in the cool morning or the Help your trying to give it might just be the reason for the celery snap.Good Luck! GrowEmBig! Chuck

6/19/2006 11:54:17 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Good words from Chuck. This trait is sometimes called "skying". The last thing you want to do is find the main snapped. Elaborate devices have been built to coax them down gently but nothing beats getting into the patch to adjust the sticks 2-3 times a day for a while until everything settles down.

6/19/2006 12:16:32 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Thanks guys, looks like i am doing the right thing then. I have been trying to be as gentle as possible. Thanks

6/19/2006 12:40:37 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i use a forked stick, plenty of free ones in the woods, rest the vine on the fork and place a rubber band over the top to keep the vine from being blown upwards, after the vine is long enough to lay down on its own remove the stick
Glenn

6/19/2006 4:28:31 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

I have begun using plastic hangars cut in 2. Just the sides so you have a u-shape. They work very well. Easy to move and place. Saw it on Jim Beauchemins video and thought it was a great idea.

6/19/2006 8:00:49 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I like that idea Glenn.sounds like ya can do both at once by a small gentle push of the stick towards the ground.

6/20/2006 8:00:07 AM

Mocksville, NC

Nice one Glenn, i'll remember that one, its so simple i never saw it. Thanks Roger

6/23/2006 8:38:17 PM