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New Berlin, PA

Now that fruit are growing, I want to check the stem and vine to make sure everything is OK and not under any stress. What should I be looking for/doing? Thanks for any answers.

7/16/2015 8:36:06 AM

Central NY

Check for soft spots on the blossom end and stem!of the kin .. Also keep an eye on the stump...(which you should cover to keep dry).. Also paint stem with captan or daconil as a preventative measure... And keep an eye out for squash vine borers that may burrow into vines..Good luck

7/16/2015 9:19:11 AM

New Berlin, PA

Any thoughts on the vine stress?

I made sure the tap root on the leaf nodes on either side of the pumpkin are free, so that the main vine can lift up with the pumpkin as it grows.

7/16/2015 9:26:48 AM

Colorado

If the stem of the pumpkin starts to point down then you need to free the vines up to get a little slack.loosen more root node areas as mentioned.You can feel the vine to see if its tight or has a little give in it. Do this in the early afternoon when the vine has less fluid pressure or you might crack it.

7/16/2015 12:53:00 PM

Prairie Du Sac Wi

I pull my fruit away from the vine a little every day. not only are the fruit lifting the vine,they are also pushing the vine away from themselves as they grow which can also result in a stressed vine. Best of luck

7/16/2015 5:44:44 PM

East Jordan, MI

wiggle the vine GENTLY and make sure it has some slack. Put something under it so the weight of the vine isn't pulling down on the stem. Swim noodles cut to length work really well.

7/16/2015 9:39:46 PM

New Berlin, PA

Thanks everybody!

7/17/2015 8:09:24 AM

Easthampton, MA

What if your pumpkin is growing upward from the vine? I assume that as it gets heavier it will guide itself down, but doesn't make for a good attachment to the vine I suspect -- stress on the stem seems a guarantee.

Can you/ should you try to rotate the vine to bring the stem horizontal to the ground? I imagine that is something that must be done very gently and slowly if it is possible.

7/17/2015 7:27:32 PM

If there is enough room on either side of your fruit, I would try to loosen the leaf nodes along the vine. Find some old packing styrofoam and break in smaller pieces to place under those areas. By slowly raising the vine over time, the fruit will rise also and may help it roll back a bit. Hope this helps.

7/18/2015 8:19:42 AM

Easthampton, MA

Thanks Biddy. I like the idea of lifting the vine and letting the pumpkin help rotate it. I'll give that a try if the pumpkin looks like a good option.

7/18/2015 10:47:55 PM