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long Island

What does one do with this secondary? My plant is about 7 feet long. It has not had any secondaries start out yet until today. They are now starting all over the place. Time for some serious secondary management. I have very limited room. Tonight I looked over the patch and noticed that what was just one or two small leaves popping out of the crown, is now a full blown 18 inch long secondary. should I leave it alone? Will it cause harm to my crown?

What do the heavy hitters do about a secondary that is growing directly from the crown? Chop chop?

I will post a pic as soon as it is available on my diary.

6/19/2010 8:42:12 PM

Upstate S.C.

Hmmmm, I helive I would chop it. You might get more secondaries

6/20/2010 12:06:41 AM

long Island

When is the best time to cut it off? early morning? bright sun? before dark?

I agree it should be cut off. I have no room for it to go at the beginning of the patch. Also, I have read many posts that say to keep the crown clear of leaves, shade, and anything else that might harm it. Many other secondaries are starting to stretch out. I think that this first one could be problematic.

I have also noticed the same thing happening to my other plant. This first secondary seems to be a common occurrence. Does everyone chop off the secondary that grows from the crown?

6/20/2010 12:39:20 AM

long Island

Here is the picture of the secondary that is growing out of the crown:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=134844n

6/20/2010 12:47:37 AM

long Island

Tht link did not work. sorry, please try this one:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=134844

6/20/2010 12:49:28 AM

Rhode Island

thats a back main and can be run opposite direction off the back of the plant or trained to the left or right of the base as a side vine.
you dont have many side vines to support any pumpkin growth on your plant so id keep it .

6/20/2010 7:36:46 AM

long Island

Back Main. Now it has a name. Thanks Pap

It is in fact growing the opposite direction of the main. No way I can let it keep going that way.

Many secondaries have started on the plant. As it is I have more plant than I have room for. My patch is very small, and its a full time, every day job, to keep the vines trained to stay in the patch. I am afraid that I just don't have the room to train this back vine to grow around the crown, back in the other direction, and then get mixed up with the rest of the rapidly growing monster.

I was hoping you would say cut it off.

Giving the following facts;
Very small patch, 8 feet x 15 feet, after that, lawn.
Two plants running like mad and closing in on the the 15 feet. I don't have the Balls to rely on a single plant, way to many eggs in one basket for me.
Secondaries are pushing out all over the place
I am anticipating a chaotic mess within the next two weeks.

Given those facts, Mr. Pap
Would you still keep that back main vine?

6/20/2010 10:05:30 AM

Deer Park WA

Pap rocks!

6/20/2010 11:29:43 PM