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Fresno, CA

I have a basketball-sized pumpkin on a secondary about 8 feet out total from stump. I have another one about 2/3 of basketball size about 11-12 feet on main. I hate to cut the biggest fruit off in favor of a smaller one. But I've been reading on these forums that It's better to have one 12-16 feet out and on the main? What's your opinion?

6/23/2009 12:56:43 PM

Buffalo, New York

i would let them both keep growing......if the main reaches 100 pounds, i would cull the 2ndary fruit..............but i am no pro at this.

6/23/2009 1:08:18 PM

Go with the mainvine fruit, the longer you wait to cut that secondary fruit off the more it drains from the other fruit that is in a far better spot for mazimum potential.

6/23/2009 5:54:25 PM

hmmm, mazimum? (long hot day)

6/23/2009 10:01:21 PM

Buffalo, New York

but if you cull the 2ndary fruit and the main aborts, then what do you do????

but yes, when you decide, decide on the main.

6/24/2009 12:04:09 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Listen to Dan, he's the Man!

6/24/2009 7:56:16 AM

Fresno, CA

Thanks for the advice!

I'm working up the fortitude to cut off the big one. Last night I culled a cantaloupe-sized one. Curious about the time frame of potential abort. When (or at what size) can you figure you're safe from one aborting?

6/24/2009 11:46:18 AM

One thing I have learned in 4 years of growing these freaks,,,there are NO guarantee's.

that said most fruit that are basketball size are near safe,,day 20 or so

good luck

6/24/2009 10:22:38 PM

Denver, CO

Also, many times a secondary vine fruit will grower faster to begin with, but then slow way down. The main vine fruits do not do this. Unless you have no choice, I would go with a main vine fruit everytime.

I learned this the hard way a couple of years back.

6/25/2009 12:34:01 PM

Fresno, CA

Thanks. I'm convinced now. Tonight the guillotine drops. I just have to do it when my wife is inside - she's emotionally invested now.

6/25/2009 3:26:46 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Make it look like an accident.

6/25/2009 4:48:56 PM

Fresno, CA

Tremor that's a good idea. I wish I'd read your reply before I dropped the blade. Anyway I now have a nice 22 pound pumpkin sitting on my dining room table. Picture on my grower diary.

6/26/2009 2:04:07 AM