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Sioux Falls SD

HELP-I'd like some opinions on pruning,vines. When, How long, How far from the fruit, what to do with pruned ends, !!!!,ETC. ?

1/4/2010 12:28:49 PM

Colorado

mark out a plot for each plant and prune the plant accordingly.The worlds biggest pumpkins have been grown on different pattern styles(xmas tree,spider,terminated main right after fruit etc.)so possibly secondary lenght isnt crucial. Its maybe more important to keep a well pruned plant so that sucker growth doesnt get out of control and powdery mildew is minimized. Terminate the vines two feet short of your plot when theyre a small tip.those last two leaves will get huge.they may need to be staked and theyll fill in that last two feet of space.

1/4/2010 12:48:02 PM

Pleasant Hill, Or

Like Joe said, there are lots of different ways to prune and train plants, each have their own benefits and drawbacks. What is successful for one grower doesn't guarantee that it will work best for another. If you grow multiple plants, why not try out a few of the most popular patterns or a combination of them?

I firmly believe why the weights of pumpkins are steadily increasing is constant evolution and improvement in growing practices, vine pattern included. This is how I do it http://www.starrfarms.net/vinemaintance.htm and it works for me, but may not for you. YMMV

Thad

1/4/2010 2:44:46 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for the link Thad! It's much appreciated that an accomplished grower, such as yourself, shares what works for them. Another vine training pattern to consider.

1/4/2010 5:55:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thad, sorta off topic...but was curious about the YMMV sign off from my brother a week or so back, did not realize what it meant??? YMMV??? Your Mileage May Vary!!!
Cracked me up once I knew what it meant!!! Kul Beans!!! Peace, Wayne

1/7/2010 2:01:25 AM

Section, AL

again, many thanks for the link Thad. Led me to much info.

1/7/2010 12:39:38 PM