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

How many secondaries do YOU like to have behind your fruit when you set one?? Its looking that mine will probably have 18. Is this enough steam for good growth?? Just wondering if anybody has their own magic number before they set them. Thanks!!! Erik

6/22/2011 8:37:05 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Personally I like to get the biggest plant out before pollination. This yeat I started early to get an early set but cooler weather and rains and wind damage actually makes me right on schedual. So i'm trying to get as much green as possible because of the slow start and the wind that took out a lot of leaves. Some may argue with me and they probably have valid reasons why. This year i'm trying for a larger plant but not at the expense of fruit growth so my answer would be more green without sacrificing fruit growth.

6/22/2011 9:24:55 PM

Buffalo, New York

This year I will have more then planned....probably over 10-11
sets.....atleast.

6/22/2011 9:47:10 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

8 to 10 on each side is when I start.

6/24/2011 1:24:33 PM

Preston CT

I like to have 6 each side.

6/24/2011 1:53:02 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Then factor in the age-old debate/discussion regarding secondaries before the fruit and after the fruit....secondaries before the fruit obviously is dependant on how far out you pollinate your fruit.

If you set your pumpkin at 12' on the main vine, there are only so many secondaries that will grow on that 12' section....perhaps 6 or 7 on each side.

Great example is the 1725 Harp which I understand was grown on the main vine at only 9' out. There would not have been many secondaries before the fruit so there must have been a good deal after the fruit to push it along.

I try and shoot for a minimum of 7 secondaries on each side before the fruit for traditional xmas tree pattern and 9 or 10 longer secondaries on a flag pattern plant before the fruit.

Long and short on this one is it is dependant

6/25/2011 11:08:23 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

......dependant on how far out you are pollinating.

6/25/2011 11:09:53 AM