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Manchester, N.h.

I'm not sure what to do, I have a female that I will pollinate in a couple of days but there is also a secondary vine on the left, right next to it and a leaf axle on the right of it (touching.)should I cut them off because it will end up underneath the pumpkin? I'm not sure if I explained this the right way but if anyone out there understands what I'm saying please let me know what to do......Thanks.....Flora

7/16/2003 9:38:38 PM

Ontario

going to have to cut them off eventually if the pumpkin takes .

7/16/2003 10:10:22 PM

porterville,california usa

i wouldn`t remove anything until you`re sure it`s set. and then i would leave it until it`s absolutely necessary to remove it. every day that they`re connected is one more day of "juice" that they are putting into the fruit. i would also cover every inch of the secondary vine with dirt to promote more root development. more roots= more "juice"= more lbs on pumpkin. you can always cut them later. but remember, i`ve never produced a huge pumpkin myself, but i`ve ruined enough to be considered experienced.LOL. you may want to get another opinion from someone who has actually passed the 5oolb mark.

7/17/2003 1:04:16 AM

Western Pa.

If you choose to keep the fruit, the secondary will have to go. If not, the roots of the said vine will dig in and cause stress to the stem as the fruit grows. The leaf must go also, but most leave them on to shade the young fruit until a shade structure can go up. I usually remove any leaves that are close to "scratching" the pumpkin. Also, remember to keep those tap roots on the main severed for several feet on each way of the main. Gently and slowly position your main and pumpkins before they get volleyball size. Good luck!

7/17/2003 3:21:04 AM

Manchester, N.h.

Thanks, I can always count on this site and all the advice I need to guide me in the right direction:)

7/17/2003 10:06:08 AM

Western Pa.

Flora,

One more thing before you go! If you are moving from plant to plant, rinse off your knife in rubbing alcohol, you don't want to spread disease.

7/17/2003 3:00:08 PM

syracuse, ny

i've had this, and when asked i will tell you:
wait until it's about softball-sized and cleanly
cut off the secondary vine as close as possible
to the vine it's attached to, and maybe a day or two later
do the same to the leaf stalk. it is similar to anything
else--i think you wanna take care of this early-on before
surgery will complicate matters too much. last year i had to do this to my 526 and it was just about 500 pounds when i did it---heartbreaking to see the juice watering the dirt!
it will heal up though, in a day or so. good luck! 'pal

7/18/2003 5:26:35 PM