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Chesterfield, MO

I hear a lot of people talking about terminating a vine or pinching off a secondary but how do you actually do it? Is it really pinching or what? I have a double main on my 963 Stucker which has split into two mains now so I would like to terminate one of them. I'm interested in hearing what you all have to say about this topic! Thanks!!

6/12/2003 12:34:06 AM

Chico, Ca

Steve, I personally just grab between the finger and thumb and pinch it off. some folks say a clean cut is better, but bugs and critters munch on stuff in nature without proper table ware and the plants do just fine... You could If it is an issue,after you pinch, to treat the area with captan or some other fungicide if you have mold/ mildew problems where you are at.

Robert

6/12/2003 12:53:03 AM

Utah

I pinch them if they are small enough to pinch easily. (diameter smaller than a pencil)
otherwise I cut them with a small pocket knife. (larger than a pencil) It's one of those things that's easy to gage with a little experience.

6/12/2003 10:04:07 AM

Montoursville, PA

I am a sharp tool freak. Healing may be easier done behind a sharp cut termination point.

6/12/2003 7:30:31 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Thanks everyone! I used an exacto knife to cut off one of the mains and then covered the open area with syranwrap

6/12/2003 8:17:50 PM

Utah

I would take the syranwrap off and let the cut dry out.

6/13/2003 10:35:56 AM

Chico, Ca

Saran wrap is not good. you need the area to dry out.
Molds love damp areas with no air transfer.

Robert

6/13/2003 11:00:29 AM

Chesterfield, MO

Okay..I guess that makes sense but isn't that a perfect way for SVBs or other insects to get into the vine?

6/13/2003 11:26:16 AM

syracuse, ny

most of the time, growers say to terminate and bury the secondaries...or in your case just the point where your new main remains...this will eliminate the entry point for the borers, and supposely cut down on water loss. as of yet i haven't done this, for i want the cut to dry out.
i noticed last year that water will drip out of a
cut vine but stop in a day or 2....perhaps it is like
coagulation in blood, or the plant somehow shuts the
water off to that point...so i guess, if possible, sever and bury....th-th-that's what i think... 'pal

6/13/2003 1:37:25 PM