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Location

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Ontario

Thats fairly similar to what I did last year. 30x27 patch, start 5 feet in so it has 25 foot main vine, first secondary on each side I train with tertiaries heading back to edge of patch (just the 4 or 5 feet) and then as I get closer to the pumpkin i train the vines to curve forward near the edge as a "pitchfork" style.

[Last edit: 04/11/26 7:48:28 PM]

4/11/2026 7:46:02 AM

Vermont

I have a very similar size patch. I have been planning to execute a vine pattern similar to this. Here is to hoping it works!

4/11/2026 7:51:15 AM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Great I didn't know that many growers were using similar techniques I thought everyone did the Christmas tree.
I don't think it's a problem but I was wondering if the tertiary's take too much nutrients or Mabe that's only with the Christmas tree?

4/11/2026 1:54:43 PM

Vermont

I'm not sure. I've heard Travis G say they are ok to grow. My goal is to try and maximize the number nodes within 20 vine-feet of the pumpkin sink. With Christmas tree on a pumpkin that is 18-20 feet out many nodes are up to 40 feet away. That seems too far, especially with a small patch where every square foot counts.

4/11/2026 6:57:27 PM

Ontario

You're 100% right, although im not sure about the 20 foot number. Theres definitely an "optimal" distance for sugars to travel through the plant. And it likely changes day by day just due to the weather. But keeping as many vines terminated the same distance from the fruit is probably optimal.
Of course, it has to be balanced with getting enough early plant as well

4/11/2026 7:48:13 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I had herbicide drift take my plants out last year and kept one going for fun - grew close to 700 on a tertiary and remnants of a plant so they aren't completely worthless

4/11/2026 9:21:47 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Well I’m not sure if it is a myth or not but I heard that Travis‘ 2749 world record as well as the 2222 were grown on tertiary’s. If I do this pattern should I do it on both plants in my two 680 ft2 patches or on,y one I’ll definitely do it on my 150 ft2 this year.

4/12/2026 2:47:14 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

I think the way the vines bend makes them longer than they would be in the Cristmas tree so more nodes. It should make them longer than most out of the limited space.

4/12/2026 2:48:47 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Based on my calculations each secondary in the cristmas tree growing perpendicular to the main vine would be 10’ and in m6 pattern 12’

4/13/2026 10:32:12 AM