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Most of the secondaries are outpacing the mains now. In one case a plant's main hasn't grown 3 inches in 2 days. Last week this main was moving along at 7" per day. Only the 2nd's are growing. We need mains to go for the "golden fruit set location". Is this normal behavior?

Steve

6/30/2003 5:38:05 PM

I don't know if it's normal behavior, but my plants are doing the same thing. I think my mains are still growing, but the secondaries are getting just as long. They are equalateral triangles instead of an iscoseles.

6/30/2003 7:09:04 PM

Ontario

mine did that one year and the main never did start growing again. I wouldnt be waiting for it. pollinate one on a secondary just in case.

6/30/2003 10:22:10 PM

porterville,california usa

i`m no expert, but from my own experiences it seems the main slows down as the 2nds start to go. kind of like the juice in the plant goes to the first place that will take it. since the 2nds are in line ahead of the end of the main they get most of the "good stuff". i hold off letting the 2nds get started until the main is close to the length i want and rooted along its length. i cover the entire main with dirt and put it on a little deeper at the nodes to discourage secondary growth until i am ready for them. then i uncover the nodes where i want secondary vines. this works pretty well, but sometimes they won`t wait for me to uncover them at which time i pinch them off or let them grow. i don`t know if my thinkings straight, but since it`s my patch, it`s pretty easy to convince myself of just about anything.lol

7/1/2003 2:43:36 AM

Deer Park, WI

I see this as a good thing Steve...the plant needs to establish itself before supporting a fruit. Right now vegetative growth is very important. Since you guys are a little behind out there, I'd say any vegetative growth you can get is a blessing. Just make sure to pinch those tertiaries as soon as you can get your fingers on them. Pinch your secondaries as soon as they reach the patch limit. I have a secondary that has almost reached it's 15' limit and it will get shut down when it reaches. This forces more juice to other areas. Pumpkins are great at playing catch up....let em do their thing.

7/1/2003 8:42:16 AM

Montoursville, PA

Your main will take off like a homesick angel when you begin terminating the secondaries and any other growth that is not wanted. Removal of females out of place serves the same reaction to promote new growth.

Good idea to use a very sharp knife to make the terminations and dust with fungus prevent. I use captan in a plastic squeeze bottle. Cut and poof program!

7/1/2003 9:17:50 AM