From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I am going back to my question on the S-curve.

In looking at MANY diaries over the past several weeks, it does not appear anyone is really using this method. They seem to be doing a straight christmas tree, burying every node and then dealing with stem issues on the back end once they get a good pollination. Hard to tell for sure from the pics but seems to be the case.

Does anyone here definately use the s-curve and if so, how far off "center" do the curves go. Meaning... if you were to just have a straight main, would you curve a foot to the left of center and then back a foot to the right of center and so on?

Is there a way to forecast which side they pumpkin will come out on?

Does the pumpkin position switch every other one?

Are people just using the "Stelts 90" as best they can when the fruit comes?

11/22/2006 1:02:14 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The curve in the vine is a must. You still grow a x-mas tree pattern then putting the curve in at or after the pollination. If you don't the shoulders of the pumpkin will pull your stem away from the vine.

11/22/2006 1:18:34 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

So you are waiting until pollination then to begin the curves? Don's book would seem to indicate you start curving from the beginning and then cull fruit on the inside of a curve and keep only use those on the outside. With your method, you would force it to the outside upon pollination and have a crook in the tree so to speak.

11/22/2006 1:56:34 PM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=60
this works well , but i like to bend it farther to give plenty of slack.

11/22/2006 2:13:28 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Steve,
Thanks for that info. Thats probably the best explanation I have seen of the "S" curve. It will definitely help me next season!

Mark

11/23/2006 8:38:37 AM

Just a reminder here that any vine work should be done during the heat of the day when the vines are most flexible, if for some reason this isn't possible then as soon after that "heat" as possible.

Never,,,Never,,,in the early morning,,,,trust me on that,,,

11/27/2006 5:05:01 AM

Coventry R.I.

very good advice dan,

11/27/2006 7:07:28 AM