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Aroostook County,Maine

Iam growing an 1159 Richards, Ihave a problem with a burnt tip on the main vine which is about 4 ft long.June 6th was a hotter day than the forecast said it would be and my coldframe was left closed and I was gone for the day .It seems to have stopped growing, the question Iam asking is will Ibe able to train a secondary to take its place? I am really bummed about this as the plant was looking really good,and I had a better start than last year when I grew a PB 915 LBR on the same plant.Any advise would be greatly appreciated

6/10/2009 10:52:10 PM

Midway, UT

After hail damage destroyed the tip of my main last year I cut the main back to almost the next secondary and trained the secondary as the main. If you have to do that it worked without issue. I'm sure I last pounds at the end of the season on my pumpkin as a result of loosing a side vine but everything worked out just fine.

6/10/2009 11:11:06 PM

Ohio

it always amazes me how much faster these plants grow when they have been damaged.
One of the best examples I have seen is (Tom) Bohica's diary from last year.

I still think you have a great shot of beating your PB Orange.
My personal opinion,,,, I think id rather start a secondary as a new main when the plant is younger like yours is, then having to starting one when a plant is a little older. When a plant is younger like yours is I think it gives your plant more time to grow and establish that new main.

6/11/2009 8:33:22 AM

Aroostook County,Maine

Thanks Brooks B that is what I will try to do as soon as it warms up a little nothing in the garden is growing right now due to the cool wet weathear we are getting right now.had to run the furnace last night to get the chill off in the house LOL.I have a 1004 Mohr growing to that looks really good just need some warmer waather.

6/11/2009 9:05:45 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I had one I froze last year (accident) and had 4' of main. I let the secondaries go to about 8' then it was clear which one was taking over, and I encouraged that one to become the new main and trimmed everything else accordingly. I also manipulated what was left of the main to go sort of sideways and spread the secondaries out in a fan on one side, brought a few of the otherside around to fill the ends and corners, and trimmed most of the off side secondaries back.

6/11/2009 7:04:15 PM