From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Buffalo, New York

I have tried to ask this quesrion in previous posts, but have not gotten a clear answer.

Lets say come July 7th, my main vine is 10 feet long with a female at the tip of it, and is ready for pollination.

Once i pollinate it, how much longer and later should i let the main vine grow before terminating it?

6/24/2008 1:59:48 AM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

If you pollinate one at 10' you need to let the main continue to grow and set a few more fruit on down the vine. I would say at least to 16' or so. Once you have a few pollinated then pick the best one to keep and cull the rest. NEVER terminate the vine after your first pollination, especially on a 10' vine. It has a lot of growing left to do. The ideal pollination length is 12 to 16 feet. After that there are a lot of differing opinions on how much vine to let grow past the fruit. I think 6' or so is fine. A lot of other growers will vary on that though.

6/24/2008 2:12:46 AM

Johnston, R.I.

why terminate the main vine

6/24/2008 7:26:13 AM

Salem, OR

the main vine is the one thing I don't plan on ever terminating

6/24/2008 11:32:49 AM

No Place Special

I terminate all vines when they reach the edge of the patch or when my keeper pumpkin is at 30 days old. After day 30 I want ALL energy going into the fruit. Works for me.

6/24/2008 12:58:28 PM

[email protected]

If you have a female ready for pollinating it won't be at the tip. There will be a foot or two of vine past the female that is ready to pollinate.

As far as termination goes I agree with Mike, I try to have all vines terminated around 30 days after pollination.

6/24/2008 6:28:41 PM