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Upstate S.C.

I am trying to learn as much as possible for next season. One of the subjects that confuses me is pruning and vine munipulation. I keep seeing pictures of new plants with little sticks crossed over vines. Is this to munipulate the vine to go down, up or in a paticular direction. When should I start doing this, do I do it when the vines raises or do I do it to make a vine grow out in a certain direction during the Christmas tree design. Please folks bare with me and help as much as you can. Please go slow and explain. Thanks and pictures would help. Thanks in advance.

8/9/2008 5:14:28 AM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

I use crossed sticks for two reasons, one to lower the vine and two to stop the wind from damaging it, once it is down it can then be buried which helps prevent wind damage, and encourages root growth.

8/9/2008 6:48:20 AM

New Hampshire, USA

I used the sticks to turn the vine as I need too, and to help it stay down.

8/9/2008 7:11:23 AM

Rhode Island

one of the most dificuly things for a new grower is getting the seed started, getting the soil ready, training and protecting the young plant.
pruning and positioning the vines seems simple and it is however, if you dont follow a couple simple rules you could snap many vines and once you do that its pretty much over for that plant ( especially if its the main vine)
1.never-never try and vine bury or move vines in the early a.m. unless its 70 degrees or better. the vines especially the newer ones get very brittle in the cool mornings and will snap easily.
2.place the young seedling in the ground keeping in mind that the main will in most cases develop and want to drop directly across from the first true leaf ( this is important if you want to plan on the direction your plant will grow in
3.as the main develops it will usually grow up in the air until such time as the weight of the tip will help it drop to the ground. (you can help the process by banking some soil under the main and remove as she grows out)
4.as the sides develop (usually after the main is a few feet long) they to should be held in position with crossed bamboo sticks at the end of each side vine( this helps hold the vine in the angle you want and also helps keep the tip from snapping in a wind storm )a narrow trench can be dug usually only about three inches deep, and the vines trained to lay inside the trench where you can cover with garden soil as the vine grows
once you get some experience you will also trim any third stage vine growth off the secondary as you vine bury-saving a lot of work later on as this third stage growth will take over if you let it.
5.it really does not matter as much regarding the pattern you choose for the plant rather how healthy and disease free you can keep the plant.

8/9/2008 7:59:57 AM

Upstate S.C.

Thanks so much guys, pap you always know just the right thing to say to a new grower. By the way were does one get these little bamboo sticks

8/9/2008 5:10:19 PM

Rhode Island

most garden stores, walmart,dollar store? you can also cut up some plastic coat hangers to use as a hold down

8/10/2008 7:57:55 AM

Upstate S.C.

Yea, i have the u shaped hold down. Its the straight little stick that I can't find.

8/11/2008 11:16:59 AM