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Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Ok, I know this information is all around, but not in one place I don't think. I am coming to the realization I may be growing a fruit on a secondary due to a massive difference in growth rates. I will keep the main pumpkin on for a while to see if things improve, but I cannot disregard the gains being made on the secondary fruit.

So the question is:

WHAT IS THE LARGEST FRUIT YOU HAVE GROWN ON A SECONDARY AND HOW MANY FEET DOWN THE MAIN WAS THIS SECONDARY?

7/11/2008 12:04:43 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

I just had this conversation with a fellow grower. Dont be fooled by the one on the secondary versus the main. In my experiences, the secondary always outpaces the main up to a point and then it slows drastically. This has been my expierience only.

7/11/2008 12:24:06 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I must add that, on a windy day long ago, a lawn chair was blown on the main and partially separated the main. It all healed up and the plant growth continued at a normal (maybe a tiny bit slower). The thing which makes me consider the secondary is that it is right before where the break was, and the main set is of course after it.

Tough call now...

7/11/2008 12:44:54 PM

Western NY

964 last year was on a secondary. greenhouse collapsed on the main, so i had to retrain a new one.

the year before, the 814 and 792 were both on secondaries on the same plant (slight crack in the main, didn't get a female before it).

in 04, my 704 was on a side vine, after splitting the main vine fruit at 513.

depends on what your options are. in 2005, I culled a pumpkin off the first secondary in favor of the main vine set. the main vine fruit became the 1407. had I left both, i likely would have had a couple 1200's on the same plant, but who knows. it was the hardest one i've ever culled, even in hindsight, as the one on the secondary was pollinated with the 1260 weir that grew tim bailey's 1217 that year.

7/11/2008 1:27:05 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

How far out when using a secondary? Do you use one 12' or one at 2 ft but on a 12' side?

7/11/2008 2:49:06 PM

Long Island,New York

wizzzy...........think along the lines of the plant dying from the stump on out and up the main....a 2 foot off the stump sidevine will slow way way before a 12 ft off the stump side will.............

7/11/2008 3:11:34 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Good post Jordan, I too wonder. I have one growing in the secondary and its really growing. The one on the main is just plugg along. So perhaps what Ray L says is correct. Im gonna let the one grow on my secondary and main. I also have other plants that I will grow only on the main. I anxious to hear what growers have to say. I was rereading an old post about the McKie pattern, that sounds interesting also. Croley

7/11/2008 4:58:31 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Ray is correct. When I stopped growing fruits on secondary vines and concentrated on a main vine only philosophy , I started growing BIG pumpkins! I would cull all fruit on secondaries as quickly as possible.

7/11/2008 6:51:37 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Oh, and the main set is a 3 lobe (was only main to open, and no room to go anymore). Still growing the main???

7/11/2008 9:48:30 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

994.5#. Secondary was a replacement for the main. Secondary vine was 10 ft up the main vine from the stump & pumpkin was grown on the secondary vine @ 7' from the main vine. I hope this helps.

Phil

7/14/2008 9:55:12 AM