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Location

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Date Posted

43.841677 , -79.086692

I had a real problem with stem splits last year. The one common denominator was that they were all short stems. Is there any evidence or opinions to back up that longer stems are less likely to split?

6/14/2011 6:16:28 PM

Rhode Island

i think its more of a main vine stress to stem problem then it is length of stem.
we have had excellent results with both types stem and also have had splitters on both lengths.
it helps to pull the fruit back away from the main if you do have shorter stems.do this a little per day so as not to rip the main away from the stem.

6/14/2011 9:15:34 PM

43.841677 , -79.086692

Thanks Pap!
Last year because I was new and inexperienced terminated all my mains past the fruit so I wouldn't have to deal with vine stress, at least past the fruit.

6/14/2011 11:37:10 PM

Rhode Island

i still like the method of terminating the main AT the pumpkin THEN allowing the last three sets of sides BEFORE the fruit to trail OUT and AROUND the fruit --- OR let several pieces of third stage growth GROW OFF THE LAST SET of sides before the fruit to run past pumpkin and down to end of plant.
not sure yet what im doing with my three plants this year. may do one of each style.

conventional main in a u trailing past fruit to end of patch

terminate main and run three sets of sides around fruit

terminate main run several sets of third stage growth off the last set of sides.

sometimes the fruit itself dictates what you should and should not do concerning main vines ,etc.

6/15/2011 9:02:28 PM

Tinykinville

i agree with a whole lot that pap says but simply a shorter stem on a growin kin equals greater likely hood of split which is not all bad just need to know what to do cut stem along split at right time and all will be fine.

6/16/2011 4:12:48 AM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Ya Chris,
I let the position relative to the vine determine if I terminate at the pumpkin or not. If it looks like I'm gonna have to battle with it the whole time...it's coming off. if the position is perfect I may let it go.

6/16/2011 11:39:17 PM