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Location

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Paradise Mountain, New York

my mains are about 12 feet past the pumpkin. should i dead head the mains to make the pumpkin grow faster? i'm gaining about 3-4 inches a day now

8/12/2002 10:11:42 PM

Rydal, Georgia

I would say yes, unless you want one more for an insurance policy. Or you could dead head the main and put the insurance pumpkin on a secondary?

8/12/2002 10:21:32 PM

Deer Park, WI

As a general rule, i dedhed all secondaries by the first or second week in August, depending on how large you want the plant to be. Whether or not to dedhed the main is a personal decision. I did not dedhed my main vine this year, as I am experimenting with the theory that as long as there is some vegetative growth beyond the fruit, that all nutrients before the fruit are pulled in the direction of the growing main. THe majority of the plant material is before the pumkin, so it makes sense that you would want to "guide" the nutrients in the right direction. Im hoping those nutrients make a pitstop at the pumpkin!

8/13/2002 9:05:26 AM

New Bremen, Ohio

If you deadhead all of your secondaries by the 2nd week of August, do you also consider the leaf count on the entire plant, as the original main leaves get wore out and have to be pruned?

8/13/2002 5:17:22 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Some do and just as many don't. Logical reasons for both sides. But for me and Geneva Emmons we don't. Lol

8/13/2002 8:52:15 PM

Deer Park, WI

I dont bother counting my leaves. It really doesnt do much for me. Sq. footage is a better marker for plant size if you ask me. Proper plant care will insure extended longetivity of the leaves, therefore die-off due to old age really isnt that significant of a factor either.

8/14/2002 8:55:35 AM