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Florida

My main vines insist on growing straight up, and their weight makes them kink and topple over. I've tried to gradually coax them into growing back down towards the ground. The result is I've got about ten feet of vine suspended off the ground with boards that get progressively closer to ground level. Vine stress has been a constant problem, with splits here and there.
Why do my vines want to grow skyward only, and is there anything I can put on a split to seal it?

7/13/2008 11:32:13 AM

Cochecton, NY

I had the same problem a few weeks ago and a gentleman named pap, (who you will see answer many questions)told me that I was too heavy on the fertilizers and to lay off of them for a week or so. I did just that and within the first week my vines laid down nice. Since then, my vines have grown along the ground and are to between 12 & 14 ft long. I am back on fertilizers again, but stopped on one plant since I just pollinated. as for the split, I had the same thing happen. Mine was not too deep since I caught it in time. I put fungicide on it and made sure there was plenty of support around it. That plant is the one I just pollinated yesterday, so as long as you keep an eye on it, you should be fine. There are alot of very knowledgeable people on this website that if I did not have their input, my growing season would have ended in the beginning of June. Good luck!

7/13/2008 1:10:37 PM