From

Location

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Date Posted

Upa Creek, MO

Below is my 2023 Marshall at 18 feet out DAP 6. I have another at 23 feet out DAP 1 and here are options (which would you do):

1) reposition main vine on DAP 6 and move pkn slowly so I can keep main past pumpkin with 6 secondaries still growing past it too. Also, is the asymmetry a red flag this early?

2) go with a new one at 23 feet, BUT main CUT already at that pumpkin and all secondaries are before pkn. This one has better vine positioning, and symmetry looks good but too early to tell.


https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=360219

Thank you in advance folks

6/26/2026 6:37:58 PM

Bethlehem CT

I would go with the one at 23 feet, but you have time. Let that first one grow a bit more. Make the decision later. You may fall in love with the older pumpkin. In the meantime you will get a better idea of the shape and growth rate of the one at 23'. Its good that you gave yourself options!

6/27/2026 7:56:17 AM

Upa Creek, MO

John, did you pick the 23 footer cause of the positioning or symmetry of the older one? Thanks!

6/27/2026 10:56:38 AM

Nova Scotia

Agree with John, leave both on for a few days yet see how they perform? Still tons of time. Good luck!

6/27/2026 11:28:57 AM

Grittyville, WA

Well definitely don't cut off the one at 23'. That one at 18 ft could get big but the position is terrible so you'll have to decide if you want to sort that out. I sort of admire the growers who just say make the choice purely based on faith. I always kick the can down the road, and, while logical, I'm not sure that really is the best option. A part of me thinks faith should be placed higher than logic.

6/27/2026 2:54:50 PM

Grittyville, WA

But that's just my own thinking I'm certainly not giving advice... just sharing my thinking. My thinking is you'll want the 23' to remain until the other one is positioned because there's a risk something could go wrong in the repositioning.

[Last edit: 06/27/26 2:59:14 PM]

6/27/2026 2:56:05 PM

Central NY

Go ballsy...cut em both off

6/27/2026 5:00:11 PM

Central NY

Otherwise I'm with bigmoon

6/27/2026 5:00:49 PM

Western NY

How many side vines before that 18' set? I'm in a similar position, I'll be cutting the main vine at the bad position set and going with that one.

6/27/2026 10:22:22 PM

Grittyville, WA

Idea for lazy grower's: The main could be crimped (intentionally flattened) and bent in an extreme way, rather than moving the pumpkin. I've never seen someone do this (pumpkin growers are not lazy after all) but its theoretically possible. The repositioned vine would probably get all floppy and look like crap, but its just an idea. Ideas are like birds, some will not fly as well as others.

6/28/2026 1:53:46 AM

Bethlehem CT

I didn't really have a problem with the the older ones shape. I think it looks good in the photos you have in your diary. I chose the one further out simply because it would be easier to get your correct vine positiioning. Its probably already goood to go!

6/28/2026 7:01:27 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Andy, I have about 14 before the 18' pkn due to heavy rains and stalled secondaries early on the plant. The day you posted your last main vine break, I was travelling and got home to find mine snapped on my other plant. It broke 3 inches before the pumpkin, so I am trying to pollinate on a secondary on that one.

LOL Pork!

Thanks John, Ketchup and Howard

I will wait a few days now and let them decide... both are slow right now and I am hoping it isn't from the heat (100), and they are slow because they are close together.

6/28/2026 4:25:01 PM

Upa Creek, MO

The first pumpkin (DAP 10) is sucking the life from the 2nd one at 23 feet.

Now I want to keep the one at 23 feet since it has more plant and great positioning, but don't want to cut the 18 footer since the 23' could abort now.

IF I go with the 18 footer, suggestions on how to increase vine positioning? I am slowly moving pumpkin, but should the majority of it be the vine moved or is it 50/50 vine and pumpkin?

Thanks

6/30/2026 6:08:00 PM

Hadley Ny

Luke, I've been in this situation many times. I don't grow big but really like ORANGE. 5' apart often ends up with one aborting. Keeping the first one is workable. Main will need to be pulled up to allow for growth. 50/50 is probably about right as I turned mine 90 degrees from main and tried to move kin while small enough. Moved my main as much as possible towards kin. Plenty of Plant left to back feed the kin for rest of season if you let plant fill it's space. If things get real bad in the future you can always cut the main. Choosing which side migt be an issue...stick with old growth or new out past the kin if you filled patch. good Luck T

6/30/2026 6:29:44 PM

Hadley Ny

You should also be able to move the vines with the roots. I've had roots over a foot out of the ground as i pulled them up a little at a time.

6/30/2026 6:53:54 PM

Grittyville, WA

Repositioning the vine might be needed. The question is, do it now, or wait as long as possible.

Having a rooted node at the pumpkin can be a big assist. It might sound like a poor choice but I'd just put a bunch of sand down around the kin and then wait as long as possible before moving it (or the main). But a person could just as easily say that it's best to get it all positioned asap.

6/30/2026 8:51:05 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thank Big T and Ketchup. I had to cut the node at the pumpkin already since it put on 5 inches cc just last night DAP 10. I am going to leave all other nodes rooted as long as possible and then mess with the vine when that time comes. In the meantime, I will continue to edge pumpkin over. I really think the 23 footer will abort soon, not much is making it down that far. But, it has perfect position and very symmetrical lobes\shape - just can't cut the 18 footer and risk nothing at all.

6/30/2026 9:59:26 PM