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Joliet, IL

i have found that once the plants are pretty well filled up the plant will do whatever it takes to kick out terts. they will be from little ones you thought you got all the way or weido shooters from previously clean cut junctions. long pants, a serated knife, and narrow walking boards between every 3rd row of secondaries to the mains will give you nice access. the key is good balance. too many beers, wait til the morning cuz the turn back will get you. i prune them and look by lowering my head below the canopy while inside and check for them buggers. get them small and if they get big enough to reach up over the secondary canopy, get the knife, find the origin point and sever it and gently untangle it from secondary leaves. then toss it to the edge of the patch and bend down and look again. it you just pinch the top off then you will have a jungle. i know, i use to grow this way for the first three years. you really need to keep unwanted growth to the minumum to maximize sink source realtionship with most to all energy going to the pumpkin and not vegetative tips.

7/10/2011 4:01:23 PM

Upa Creek, MO

As a new grower with my first decent size plants, I was wondering how to get in there and cut those without disturbing too many roots. Thanks Shaz

7/10/2011 5:18:46 PM

Pataskala,OH

I let the tertiary vines grow if there is room for them otherwise they are pruned. I have about 100 sq ft that is not being used behind my plant. I am training a few tertiary vines into that area and having them buried. More roots can only be beneficial.

7/10/2011 5:30:01 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Harbor Freight Tools sells a telescoping lightweight pruner that pinches the cut end and can be easily lifted out w/o wading into the middle of your plant...check it out...$25.00

7/10/2011 7:25:44 PM

Onawa,Iowa

What duff says its a keeper!!!! and sharp.
I abuise mine daily its tough.

7/11/2011 2:25:48 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I tape a razor sharp pocket knife to a 6' long PVC pipe to trim those pesky popups. That way I don't have to get too close and pack the soil.

7/11/2011 1:24:10 PM

canal winchester ohio

Duff, I don't know about you but when I walk into the Harbor freight in my area I have to take just enough money to buy what I came after...lol
Easy to buy a lot there.

7/11/2011 1:51:07 PM

Buffalo, New York

went to harbor freight yesterday and bought one of those pruners.......a steal for $25

7/15/2011 9:57:02 AM