From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Pennsylvania

Should we prune off tendrils? I was wondering because they really serve no function as far as I know that would benefit us and they seem to me just a waste of nourishment.

6/13/2008 1:35:57 AM

Buffalo, New York

arent they suppose to serve in helping anchor the plant?

6/13/2008 2:49:10 AM

Nova Scotia

I find they sometimes crush leaves and keep sections of the vine from laying down. That's why I get rid of them. As far as anchoring they need something to grab on to and if you weed there's nothing there to grab. As far as saving energy you likely lose as much as you save during the healing of you prune.

6/13/2008 6:39:52 AM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

If you bury all vines (which you should) the tendrils really serve no purpose and should be pruned.

6/13/2008 9:35:23 AM

Pennsylvania

That's what I was thinking.

6/13/2008 10:48:28 AM

[email protected]

I find mine sometimes holding the vine up in the air by the tendril growing straight down at the soil. I usually cut those off to get the vine on the ground, but other than that, they stay.

I also use mine to tie up the flower when I pollenate.

6/13/2008 12:00:10 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I use tendrils as dental floss...I have wide gaps between my teeth....just kidding.
I take some tendrils off, and leave some on. When burying vines, I bury the tendrils I leave on. It seems to anchor the vines better.

6/13/2008 1:29:03 PM

Joliet, IL

i just pinch them about half way between the tendril stem and the grabbers. the grabbers are a pain with bamboo stick training and can hold a vine up in the air. but the remaining stem piece acts like a foot to keep some stability to the vines until you bury them. also if you pinch too close to the vine sometimes you pull off a little vine skin with the tendril. if you cut them with snips that is not a problem, but i just pinch them cuz its easier while pinching tertiaries and adjusting bamboo sticks.

6/13/2008 4:28:42 PM

Whidbey Island

Late in the season the tendrils sometimes become the start of sudden, weird vine growth including volunteer pumpkins, gnarled and flat vines, etc. Cut those puppies off early to prevent this from happening.

6/13/2008 11:26:53 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Cut them!

6/14/2008 1:17:25 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

Bobbit the SOB's lol

6/14/2008 1:58:54 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Get rid of them. If they grab on to a fence, etc and the vine keeps trying to go straight, the plant will snap its own vine.

Anchor the plant with stakes until the tap roots form, then you won't have any issues at all.

6/14/2008 2:08:17 PM