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Midwest

What would you do if you had two plants, side-by-side going the same direction. One's a 1566 Rodonis X 998 Pukos, the other is a 1502 Wallace X 1092 Martin. I didn't think the second one would grow just as good as the first cause I haven't buried the nodes etc... But, it's just as long, not quite the secondaries of the first one. But, the main is thicker. Tomorrow, I'm pulling one. Point me in the right direction!
Greg

6/20/2009 1:03:42 AM

Buffalo, New York

I would have planted them growing in opposite directions....that way you could grow them back 2 back :)

6/20/2009 1:15:17 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Well, I would take a really close look at the health of each plant. Which one has the darker greener leaves? Which one looks to have a good vigor? Can you see any defects in one from the other? If still undecided, just follow your heart. Grab one by the reigns, close your eyes, and after the deed, you can get back on track with your choice. Greg, in the future, is there any way you can plant each one on seperate ends of the patch and mirror grow them toward each other? It may give you more time to grow each one out and make a choice later into the season and also provide insurance longer into the season.

6/20/2009 1:16:08 AM

Upstate S.C.

Great Advice Alex!!!

6/20/2009 4:34:43 AM

Midwest

Thank Jeremy and Alex. Jeremy, I would have started them back to back but the patch is only 30ft x 18ft so too small. Good advise. I have one heating cable so they had to be close, 2ft apart. Alex, thank you for the advise. They both have no visible signs of stress, disease, etc... and this morning, I see the first open male flower on the second one. Yesterday not sure what to do. But, thanks I know which to pull and after it's done, I may wonder but I'm not going to regret.
Thanks!
Greg

6/20/2009 11:03:38 AM

Denver, CO

Keep in mind, if you have been burrying the nodes on one vine and its still at the same size and length as the other there is a chance it's the better plant to go with.

That's assuming that it's been growing a better root system then the non-burried one. It's probable that it has devoted more energy to growing roots, and yet still has kept pace with the other plant. Once that pumpkin is set and growing, the most complete and extensive root system possible is a must.

6/20/2009 2:20:07 PM

Whidbey Island

Or start them at opposite ends of the patch growing towards each other. This gives you weeks to determine which one is the better one. When you go to pull the loser out, you don't run the risk of injuring the winner or its roots.

6/20/2009 3:31:22 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I see your point about spacing them tight due to the use of a heating cable. Makes perfect sense to me to save $$ fixing up the soil and cables in one area. In this case, I hope you have a personal 'sway' toward a specific plant. To make it easier on yourself in the future it may be helpful to say to yourself "I'm going to plant these two plants. I like the genetics on x plant more than the other, so if they both do great, the y plant is history.
Otherwise, I've had the luck of a mother-in-law on a stroll smoking a cancer stick make that call for me with her right foot in the dark a few years back...

6/20/2009 6:42:54 PM

Midwest

Greg, Alex and W-Pman: well, chop chop. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I closed my eyes and put knife to stump. Bye bye plant. It's a learning experience... first time for heart wrenching decisions in th'patch. W-Pman, next year I'm going to buy a second cable. With the cool Spring this year, warming the soil is a must! Greg, I chose the first because it looks bigger and is filling out with some confidence. I haven't thought about the roots and the energy consumption building the root system. It's got a good under-ground presence because I see roots popping thru the surface where I buried the nodes. Alex, the genetics is what drew me to the first plant. I've heard alot about the 998 and this is the first 998 progeny that I've grown. My mother-in-law isn't much of a gardener and respects that space in my yard. I hope you are still talking with your M.I.L. I wish you all will be surprised how big your pumpkins grow. I hope you guys have a banner season... hope you blow the doors off the pumpkin world!
My diary will have pictures.
Best wishes and blessings!
Greg

6/21/2009 11:22:29 PM