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Middle TN

The main on my 1131 Gansert snapped today. Im just heart broken over it. I really really wanted this plant for my local fair on July 25th. Ive posted pics of the break in my diary. Is there any hope or should I pull it and start all over? It pains me to even think about pulling it :(

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=154783

5/3/2011 9:55:22 PM

Dorval,Quebec

If it was mine,I'd cut the vine at the break,let a new main begin at the leaf node on the left side of the pic,entry 55,and lose about 7 days.You probably have good roots at this point.Nice orange genetics....My two cents...

5/3/2011 10:47:14 PM

Prestonsburg,ky

Tammy i had one do this last year. turn your closest side vine into your main youll be fine.

5/3/2011 11:10:22 PM

Dorval,Quebec

I like Dwight's solution better...

5/4/2011 7:22:23 AM

Western PA

I did as Dwight said last year on one of my plants. Ended up with a 772 pounder. Could have been much bigger but my plant came down with downy or something.

Use this incident as experience. Maybe on your other plants,when the time comes, build a mound of dirt under the main if it is "reaching for the sky". Remove a little dirt in the afternoon heat, to slowly let it drop a little each day. But make sure it has some support under it at all times.
Mine broke exactly in the same place yours did, right in front of where it was staked down.It must be a high stress point.I noticed that in my hoops last year, I got condensation built up on my leaves at night. All those water drops on the leaves add extra weight, then when the temp in the hoop drops during the night... SNAP !

I am going to use the mounding technique just as a preventative measure on all my plants this year.

5/4/2011 8:21:43 AM

Wi

Tammy I broke one off like this in 2009. Broke off the main, tried a secondary and broke the secondary. The plant was very brittle and yes it broke twice. That plant went on to grow a 1375# pumpkin. All is not lost.

5/4/2011 9:22:48 AM

Middle TN

Thanks guys, I was advised to add support underneath the vine, sadly I didnt heed the warning. Another lesson learned the hard way :( I'll start training a side vine.

So I need to cut the main even though its still growing? Whew, I may cry!

Zappa I believe condensation could have been my problem. The vine wasnt sticking up that high but it had been rainy and cold all day. I had the heat light on and there was a lot of condensation in there.

5/4/2011 9:31:15 AM

Corbin, KY

only move them when it is warm. cold vines snap.
Do as dwight said you will be fine.

5/4/2011 9:46:32 AM

Middle TN

I made sure not to touch it during the cold rain yesterday. Apparently condensation built up on the grow tip and weighed it down, thats the only thing that makes any sense. I looked at it that morning and it was fine, went back later and it was snapped. There was a lot of moisture in the hoop yesterday, if it wasnt condensation I dont know what it could have been.

Is there a 'how to' on training a side vine into the main? The temp is expected to drop into the 30's tonight, should I just leave it alone until the weather improves? Im afraid I'll do more harm than good if I try to do anything now.

P.S. Chris, your story gives me hope :)

5/4/2011 11:10:47 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Tammy, personally I'd wait to train it till it is warmer if in the 30's to 50' as it won't be growing much anyway.

Best of luck

5/4/2011 11:55:25 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Tammy, I too broke the main one year and trained the next secondary to be my main. Like Dwight said, it will work. All is not lost. You can always move your secondary once it gets bigger and weather warms up.

5/4/2011 12:49:43 PM

President - GPC

Oh Dont give up on it......Check it out.....

Back many years ago I had a 1502 Wallace that I was going to plant...it was in its pot....its was my best plant at the time....destined to go in Jareds late, a freak wind gust came up and broke its main just under the the cots.....about one inch.....all the way thru...only had a itty bitty 1/8 piece of skin linking it to the main. I proped it up, and splint it up.....In three days it started to grow roots just about the break......I have it to Barry Todd to grow that year as he wanted to baby it......and he did......I saw a pumpkin off that plant in Colorado SPrings......Barry beat me out by hundred pounds or so...off that plant....couldnt believe my eyes...... It would be like me going out and cutting my plant at the ground with 4-5 leaves on it and repotting it.....I couldnt beleive it did that well...so dont give up......

5/4/2011 2:40:09 PM

Coventry R.I.

Tmt ammmy
Norm is a friend of mine,, I,m sure if you e/mail him,, maybe he can help you out.
I suppose to see him tommorow,,, I can tell him.

5/4/2011 7:24:06 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Frank, yer story is a tale that many don't know!!! The Abnormal one, is one of a kind!!! Kudo's to the AbNormal one!!!! Tammy, don't give up, don't ever give up!!! Grow em Big!!! Peace, Wayne

5/5/2011 1:44:40 AM

valparaiso, in

Last year my main broke in half on me, but the bottom half was still attached. I dried it the best I could, applied a paste of Captan, and then buried it. Plant took off like a horse in a race. Things were looking great until the stem split on me. Ended up with about a 600lb. plant, give or take. All is not lost. You still have time.

5/5/2011 2:36:33 AM

Middle TN

if I cut the main right before the break wont it leave a direct open passage to the stump for insects/disease to enter? Do I pack it full of captan paste, powder or try to bury it at that joint? I edited a pic, can someone tell me if its right? I cant afford to make a mistake.
Thanks,
Tammy :)

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc189/JDFanning_bucket/Pumpkins/First3.jpg )

5/5/2011 5:27:30 PM

East Jordan, MI

I dont think you posted the right picture link Tammy.

5/5/2011 6:01:42 PM

Middle TN

well thats weird, I dont think Ive even seen that pic before.... let me try again

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=154892

5/5/2011 6:05:43 PM

El Paso TX.

LOL - thats a pic I posted in another thread for someone asking about what to do if he had no heat mat - you must of taken a look at it and forgot it was in your clipboard !

5/5/2011 10:27:01 PM

Middle TN

oh yeah!! I read that thread, I copied the link but forgot to paste it and look at the pic LOL

5/5/2011 10:34:03 PM

East Jordan, MI

Wierd that no one has answered this yet. From my newbie experience, your plan is what I would do. Don't worry about bugs getting in the plant. Each junction is solid and will scar up and be fine (just like when you terminate a sidevine). Per advice from Dr Liggett, I treat all of my cuts with 6% peroxide and captan. Things like this on the main I would treat daily (probably twice) until it was healed and then after a rain throughout the season because it has the potential to be a weak spot. I would also watch it very closely throughout the year.

5/6/2011 7:52:24 AM