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Erin, Wisconsin

So I assume my season is just about done as I have major splits on my 2 stems. I Learned a lot this year and finally got some good pumpkins, enough to motivate me for next year. My question is how do you all position your pumpkins or move the vines to give them enough room to grow without splitting the stems? My stems were at the side. As the pumpkin grew up, the vines didn't grow with it and eventually it had no choice but to split. What do I do different next year to avoid this?

8/23/2016 5:31:47 PM

Central NY

Pumpkins will still grow with split stems... Use sulpher powder to dry and heal them...here is a link for pumpkin positioning....
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=60

8/23/2016 6:13:47 PM

Western PA

Look through the grower diaries. You will see what you need to do. It sounds like you are describing that the pumpkin grew upwards and your vine stayed down lower, then eventually started to rip off the stem. Is that correct ?
if I am correct, you need to put foam blocks under the vine on each side of the stem to have the main vine at the same height of the stem. this should be done when the fruit is small, and as it grows upward, you add more blockage. Also, a lot of times the fruits want to grow backwards and start to kink or push back on the vine. You will then need to pull the fruit out a little bit to relieve the stress.

8/23/2016 6:51:26 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

Thanks for the notes. Its a learning process for me. I see how confident people are in cutting vines and moving vines and I was just a little afraid this year. I have a plant that I put in late that is my "practice" plant for the rest of this year. Something to experiment with a bit as I head into next year. Porkchop - the positioning link was very helpful. Thank you. I had been trying to find something that like on this site, so thank you for posting. I started a diary, but pictures haven't posted yet. Ill put the link in here once I can as there are pictures of the split and my patch.

8/23/2016 7:10:03 PM

Western PA

ok, I saw the pic. what happened was the fruit pushed on that one side of the vine as it grew bigger. that is a common newer grower mistake.
What you need to do next year is put an "S" curve in the vine even before you pollinate it. Look at some of Don Youngs diaries from several years back. he is a master at it. you don't even have to go that severe, but it helps tremendously. basically you want to have the stem perpendicular to the main vive. you can move the fruit a little each day also to get perpendicular. only move in the afternoon when vines are nice and warm. if you still have some vines growing, you may as well practice on them. we use stakes to hold the vine in position when doing the s curve. its mush easier to show in person than explain all this. I would go to a weigh off to meet some growers and they will explain better.

8/23/2016 7:44:10 PM

Western PA

Im not sure if that one side of the vine will feed the pumpkin now. You may want to cut that side off, but I would see what others think first. the other side of the vine that is still attached will still feed the fruit and you will still get some growth.
good luck !

8/23/2016 7:47:18 PM

Central NY

I would leave it as is... Already looks like it's starting to heal...plants look really good...gotta cut tap roots and get those vines loose...I didn't get my curve right this year (again)and had to move her many times...now I'm afraid to move so I've been cutting roots to maintain slack

8/23/2016 8:04:16 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

Do I cut ALL of the tap roots or just the ones on the vine that the pumpkin is on? Ive been burying them all, so they are pretty tight to the ground which is probably why the split occurred. There is no wiggle room in those vines. Heck - I buried them in mixtures of top soil and miracle grow... Gone through a pallet of miracle grow I think....

8/23/2016 9:22:45 PM

Central NY

Lol...that'll get em goin....gotta get in there w a sharp knife...go right down the line...if it's tight,cut the root...do this when it's warm out...vine needs to wiggle some

8/23/2016 11:13:01 PM

Central NY

Both main and sides if they are tight....good luck

8/23/2016 11:14:24 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

How does the plant get all the nutrients if I cut the roots? Will it actually get nutrients just by covering the vine even if the roots are gone?

Sorry for questions, but I am learning...

8/24/2016 8:20:00 AM

Central NY

Plant gets Nutes from all the other nodes you have buried ...just need to cut the ones making the vine tight around the stem...

8/24/2016 8:28:43 AM

Central NY

...or... If your soil is loose enough...you can leave the roots on but pull them up a bit too release tension....wait til the hottest part of the day...are you using mykos?

8/24/2016 8:30:31 AM

Erin, Wisconsin

Not certain what I am all using to be honest. I met with Gary who lives by me earlier in the year and he sent me home with various stuff that he had in his garage. I had taken pictures of some of it but I do not remember what everything was. His garage was filled with stuff and he kept just pulling stuff out and making me little bags of stuff to use. I haven't really had a plan, I just dumped different fertilizers in the garbage cans filled with water and every 4-5 days I apply some to the plants. They are loaded with Miracle grow and I laid down 100+ pounds of 9-23-30 earlier in the year when tilling stuff up.

8/24/2016 11:51:42 AM

Norfolk, UK

In terms of "S" bends - IanP on the site showed a bit of doing it on this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC9VOWaj4k8. Pumpkin would be moved a bit again to get the V even on each side

8/24/2016 12:39:30 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

Great video - thank you for attaching. Helps a lot. Next year, I will do better...

8/24/2016 1:18:40 PM

Just past the stem, cut the vine and remove it in sections by cutting. Once you have the nodes loosened before the fruit carefully lift the vine and position pieces of styrofoam layers under the nodes. I do this in thin layers as the fruit grows. You can safely cut the vine where the split began and spray it down with hydrogen peroxide. It is a good idea to cut with a clean knife and especially remove leaves and their stalks near the fruit. These leaves may be brushing the fruit during high winds causing scars. Water plant after cutting and wash all cutting tools before and after to keep up good garden hygiene and prevent the spread of plant diseases. Hope this helps!

8/24/2016 1:52:37 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Give me a ring I'll stop out and look at them... Emails been not working right

8/26/2016 9:02:23 AM