From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Watlington, UK

Let them grow. Young leaves have more energy and vitality to produce sugars for pumpkin growth than old leaves. Prune just enough to ease congestion and allow air flow.

9/3/2024 4:22:03 PM

Grittyville, WA

You could let them grow if they are filling in a hole. I haven't seen anything scientific about how much more efficient a young leaf is. I think the old leaves are a reservoir of nutrients whereas the young growth can possibly (if too much is allowed) drain those nutrients out of the plant.

9/3/2024 5:19:58 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I cut them. They aren't really tertiaries IMO. They aren't connected to the vine in the same matter. They are 'suckers' and steal energy.

I got a 10' expandable pruner this year and it works wonders on those.

9/3/2024 6:38:28 PM

Eugene,OR

Everything growing on your plant is either an energy source, or it is an energy sink. If they are not going to become energy sources very soon, then they are only taking energy away from your pumpkin.

9/3/2024 6:46:43 PM

Nova Scotia

Back in the day we constantly pinched the ends of those vines. No cutting. At this time of season let the pumpkin coast in until weigh off and not waste any nutrients going into more foliage. Last thing you want is a growth spurt and pumpkin bust a seam so to speak. After a long hard growing season you would like something to show. Unfortunately some growers already done for season. Best of luck.

9/3/2024 7:21:12 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

You’ve always let them grow in the past Dave and your success has been fantastic. I agree with Kevin tho, if they are clearly tertiary off a good secondary then maybe give them a chop because Russ has a good point about sink/source.

Your plant looks great, mine are toast!!

[Last edit: 09/03/24 8:38:06 PM]

9/3/2024 8:36:33 PM

Richmond, BC, Canada

Thanks for all the great replies !! So all the leaves you see in the picture are past the pumpkin. The leaves before the pumpkin are terrible. Totally different, like looking at 2 different plants. I'll trim and prune as I usually do.That is to ease overcrowing in the healthy ares and allow to fill in the empty spaces.

9/4/2024 10:08:33 AM

Iowa

My approach aligns with Howard. The plant has already used the energy to produce the leaves. Unless they're creating another issue just pinch the ends of the vines instead of removing. By pinching you no longer have an energy sink of additional growth and although it may be minimal the new leaves could give a little energy boost back to the plant/pumpkin.

9/4/2024 10:00:52 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Let them grow.

9/5/2024 12:49:50 AM

Richmond, BC, Canada

This what I ended up doing. Where the leaves were healthy, I cut the new shoots. Where the leaves were shot I removed those and allowed the new shoots to fill the space. She's been averaging 10 lbs per day for the last 10.

9/5/2024 9:28:33 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Whatever you're doing, keep doing it!


Theses past couple years you have really turned things up a notch! It goes back to the co2 and what it does for your roots! It turns them into super roots!


Go Dave, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

9/5/2024 10:54:27 AM