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Nauvoo, Alabama

Is it better to have long secondaries behind the pumpkin to feed the pumpkin than it is to have a long main vine in front of the pumpkin? I would think so. What's your opinion on this?
Raised patch bed is 12x 30.
I really do appreciate your name.

Happy Gardening

4/25/2012 2:04:17 PM

Michigan,up North

i was wondering that too ,iam no export .sencond year growin.i grew a 800lbs one only 11 foot out with 12 foot secondaries on each side, and 2 secondaries never grew.i was thinkin you need more plant to get passed 800.ill find out this year.

4/25/2012 4:16:43 PM

Michigan,up North

ah i should add i dint have any more plant after the pumpkin,i cut it offit was 11x24

4/25/2012 4:24:20 PM

Ashby, MA

I'm going to try a different method this year (my 3rd year). I started my plants early (in the ground on April 15th). I plan to pollinate around the same time as last year but I'll hopefully have more secondaries before the pumpkin. Last year I pollinated a flower at about 11-12' out. This year I hope it's 15-17' out or more. I do not want to pollinate past July 4th.

4/25/2012 4:45:03 PM

Ashby, MA

I should of added... from what I've read the pumpkin is feed mostly from the secondaries before the pumpkin not after. However, the secondaries after the pumpkin will feed the pumpkin a little and certainly if something happens to the vines before the pumpkin (e.g. they get a disease and need to be removed). So I also think of them as an insurance policy.

4/25/2012 4:48:37 PM

Nauvoo, Alabama

im so sorry, I had a typo . "name" should be "time"
rolling eyes at self..

thank you for the opinions.
I am growing in a new location this year and it is small until I can gradually make it bigger. I had soggy problems in the old area and too dry in another area. This one might be just right but I have to start out small and raising the bed for drainage.

4/25/2012 6:21:06 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Carolyn, sounds like yer soggy bottom might make it just in "time" to make you a new "name"!!! Grow em Big!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

4/25/2012 10:04:49 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

In my opinion it is more important to have large secondaries before the pumpkin. In the limited space per plant that I have I always go with wider vs. longer plants.

4/25/2012 10:34:56 PM

50 Acres

Mother Nature shows the direction of energy flow. Eliminate the main vine after your chosen pumpkin. Thats my opinion.

4/26/2012 10:03:19 AM

Nottingham, UK

I know you only asked about secondaries beyond and before the pumpkin but here's another post to consider:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=387240

It concerns the primary and leaving it to grow or not past the pumpkin.

4/26/2012 11:46:51 AM

Ashland, KY

Dandytown- Thanks for posting that link to a 2011 post by Joze. Not only it is a great post, but the subsequent exchanges were both informative, and indicative of how good discussion can exist here!

4/26/2012 1:54:48 PM

Ashland, KY

Folks, I need a clarification on a term: Does "post-set" vines or growth refer to time or place (any growth that occurs time-wise after fruit set OR growth that takes place on a location on the plant that is distal to the fruit)?
SoD (sorry so dumb!)
EP

4/26/2012 1:59:32 PM