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Lockport, IL

First time grower. I previously posted about my seedlings getting bad sun burn. They recovered!

Both plants are growing well in the hoop house I built. Now I need to decide which to keep.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=315537

I'm worried about the back plant hitting the side of the hoop house and its vine tip and 2 newest leafs growing almost parallel to each other. This appears to be the faster growing plant atm.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=315540

The front plant has a curve to the vine that I will have to correct later as I am working in a small sq ft area.

Am I making the right choice?

Also, both plants appear to have some splitting on the vine. Is this normal? Same with bubbling on one of the earlier leaf stems.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=315541

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=315542

6/16/2020 1:10:27 PM

Central NY

It’s really gonna have to be your choice but given the cracking(soil looks a bit clunky and wet...can cause splinting) I would still wait to see how it progresses. It’s ok if they crowd each other a little bit this young while you make a choice..don’t fret too much about how the leaves are laying at this point...you may be cutting one of those off soon...it’s called the “kick stand” leaf..I hear it’s a wet year for u guys in Illinois

6/16/2020 1:41:27 PM

Western PA

I always keep water atlest 6 inches from the stump. Don't water the stump ever. I actually keep the stump covered all season with a small plastic basket with the end cut out, so I can cover about the first 8 inches of the stump. it has a mess of holes in it like a mini clothes basket if you know what I mean .
To your question, It looks like you still have time, I agree with chop, wait as long as you can as anything could happen to one of them. Look the stump and vine over really good, before you give one the knife. the splitting should heal up just fine , but keep an eye on it. best of luck !

6/16/2020 5:32:58 PM

Lockport, IL

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately our soil is not the best, I've improved it some. Hasn't been too wet here yet, at least since my plants got in to the ground.

There has been a lot more growth, probably will be culling one tomorrow. I plan to keep the back one, it appears to be growing the best.

https://imgur.com/bvEHLqe

After reading more, I realize that I should have cut the first 2 vines near the stump? these are about 5 inches long now. One of them has bent / pinched its leaf stalk 2 from the stump. Is this a problem? Am I too late to trim these off? They are about 1/4 in in diameter.

As for the pinched leaf stalk, think of a tube with the top held together. It appears to have been pushed over at the intersection. If i prop this up with support, will it correct itself? Still looks healthy.

https://imgur.com/u1C8F9S

6/21/2020 2:29:37 AM

Central NY

Right now your plant is “laying down and starting to run”...this is about when we cut those first sides IF you want to cut them. ( theorized to help with foaming stump later on). Get the weeds out of there while you are deciding weather to cut or not. Do you have good insecticide/ fungicide program lined up?... lookin pretty good. Good luck!

6/21/2020 8:06:00 AM

Lockport, IL

Yes, I've got some some systemic and direct of both lined up. Going to be putting the systemics down once I'm down to the one plant.

6/21/2020 3:16:59 PM

Central NY

Good...sounds like you are on it...be careful with the soaker hose..soil should never be “soaked”...lookin for nice even moisture in the ground with visible drying in between for now. Good luck!

6/22/2020 12:05:26 PM