From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mount Prospect,illinois

This is my first year of "real" pumpkin growing. Last yeart I tried with a store bought seed and grew over grass (not good). This year things are going very well. I have 5 pumpkins on two plants (I plan on trying to keep two per plant) with two more females coming up.

My question is this. I have an area that is only 25 by 10 for for the two plants. it is very crowded. At what point should I dead head the main vines? I am already at the end of my space, but I dont want to do anything that will harm the plants.

is it safe to do it now?? My biggest so far is about the size of a basketball, will this hurt the existing pumpkins?

thanks

Kyle

7/6/2007 9:53:31 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Well that was strange. My bro must have been at my home using my computer. This is better.

Kyle P

7/6/2007 9:58:58 PM

Liberal Ks.

youu need more a room lot of room more than you have

7/6/2007 10:57:50 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

In a perfect world I would have more room. But I am near Chicago and dont have that luxury. So, I have to deal with that little space. I am just trying to figure out when it is ok to deadhead the main vine.

7/7/2007 7:55:40 AM

Leicester, NY

Kyle,
With 2 plants in such a limited space, I would not dead head the mains. I might try letting them continue to grow around the outside of the patch or along the border.

7/7/2007 8:45:43 AM

Mount Prospect,illinois

thanks, I will try to do that then. I guess I will resign myself to having a jungle. that is good as long as I get some pumpkins.

Thanks Joe.

Kyle

7/7/2007 10:33:30 AM

Coupeville WA

Kyle,
You do not neecissarily have to have a jungle. Let the main vine continue to grow. However, clip all secondaries off, after the fruit. It has been my experience that regardless of the square footage of your plant, the organization is important for mid and late season management. You do not want to be contending with crossed vines as your season goes on.
If your pumpkin is set and at basketball size, with your space maximized, I would dead-head all secondary vines now and have all energy into the pumpkin.
I would also let the main continue as a single vine.
Good luck and happy growing.

7/7/2007 6:22:17 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

thanks for the reply. that willmake it easier. Now all I have to do is contend with the SVBs and things will be good.

7/7/2007 8:53:33 PM