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Waterville, Ohio

I had my 1116 touch down the other day, but it as well as my other plant are growing toward the sky again. I've heard that this could be due to high nitrogen. Is this true? The other question I have is their a certain way you folks are staking the plant so that you have it trained at such a young age? I'm afraid of putting to much pressure on the vines in fear of breaking them. Thank you for any input.

5/25/2010 9:44:31 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

Hey D how are ya,
I planted mine at about an almost 45 degree angle when I planted them (with the opposite of the first true leaf facing the direction your main vine to run). This helps them to lay down easier when the main starts to run. Your best bet would be to gradually work them that way when its the warmest part of the day and not in the mornin when its the coolest. This is what I did with one of mine that did that and it seems to be helping. This is what I was told to do with one of mine and it seems to be helping. Hope this helps some!!

5/25/2010 11:13:53 PM

Waterville, Ohio

Bandit,
I appreciate the help. I put the plants on a slight angle when I transplanted, but perhaps not strong enough of one. I'll give it a shot tomorrow afternoon when its near 85.

5/25/2010 11:39:07 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

D, using whatever is available...during the heat of the day...bring em down a lil, and support em underneath, so they cannot fall to quickly!!! Bamboo skewers (for bbqin shrimps and stuff) from Wallyworld work well, cheap too!!! Hope this helps!! Peace, Wayne

5/26/2010 12:33:04 AM

SE Minnesota

how old is the plant?? young transplants may not be ready to lay down just yet

5/26/2010 5:28:50 AM

Waterville, Ohio

Both were transplanted on May 2nd, germinated on April 26th. One of them I don't think is ready to lie down, but is wanting to twist and grow in a different direction.

5/26/2010 10:33:35 AM

Navarre,OH

I was getting worried about my marrow not laying down yet, but I think I'll give it another week or so until I have to start helping lay down. I think its still just a tad too young.

5/26/2010 10:35:50 AM

Ohio

Herts, this is hard to explain in text, but let me give it a try,,, when my main vine is sticking straight in the air, I 'never' put any force on it, like putting a steak across the main vine tip to force it down and in hopes it starts to grow down towards the ground, most of the time your going to break it if you do it this way.

The way I keep my main down is from starting at the end of the main vine tip I will go back about 3 , 4 and sometimes 5 leaf nodes on the main vine that are already laying on the ground and I will remove small amounts of dirt that is underneath the main (do this under the leaf stems that grow off the main also, sometimes one little leaf stem 3 or 4 nodes back can keep a main growing straight in the air).
But once you remove a little dirt under the main back a few nodes or so you will notice the main falling almost on its own with out you even touching it.
You will also have a little play (not alot!) in your main vine to where you can turn the vine right or left to where the main will also fall to the ground. Hope this makes sense, and be careful you dont hear that dreaded,,,SNAP,,lol

5/26/2010 11:30:01 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Brooks what do you do when you have the main vine buried and it seems to want to grow away from the direction you want it to. I have that happening to my 1288. I had to put some dirt under the main vine to bury it. I guess i'll have to add less and less dirt to the main vine before it lays down. The main vine is growing toward the grass rather then the middle of the patch.

5/26/2010 1:02:03 PM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Hi
Heres a little trick I found useful. Take an old leaky garden hose. ( Keep your eye out on garbage day- there is usually someone discarding old hoses.)Cut it up in 18 in to 24 inch pieces and lay them in an "X"pattern gently across the vines. A twist tie or plastic tie can by use to create the X pattern. They warm up and soften as the vines do in the sunlight. Thus, pushing gently the offending vines to the ground. I always get nervous using plating coathanger loops or bamboo takes. I am afraid Iam going to spear the vine accidently.
Hopes this helps.
BP

5/27/2010 9:23:13 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

err.. lousy typing.. bamboo stakes

5/27/2010 9:23:53 AM

Ohio

Kenny, I never bury the main, ever, and I still get both roots at the node(top and bottom) to go into the ground. I always leave the main open and just bury the side vines. And this year Im going to try something diffrent, and not to bury the entire side vines, Im going to bury them at each node instead to see how that works out for healthier vines.

To keep your main healthy,,if it was me, and alot of other growers on here, I wouldnt bury the main. Have you ever uncovered your side vines at the end of the year and see what they look like?,, Not to good. I dont want my main looking like that only after a month of being under the soil.

5/27/2010 9:06:58 PM