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Cranston, Rhode Island

While I was measuring the circumference of a fruit at day 3
I noticed a long gash (18") on the top of the main vine about 10 feet out from the base. The fruit is set about 13 ft. from the base. Will the fruit keep growing? What action
should I take to try to heal the wound. For now I covered the split with some compost. Should I have got out the duct tape.LOL

Thanks, Will

7/24/2003 8:04:30 AM

KENTUCKY

I'm no expert (2nd year grower) but I read almost everything on this site. 1st you need to apply some captain in a paste form over the split and let it dry out. Then bury the vine. You might want to start training your 1st seconday before the split as your new main nad get some pumpkins set on this one. Then if the original main still survives, you will have to make a decision on which "main " to continue to use.
Some big pumpkins have been grown on split vines.

I'm sure you will get another response from a more experienced grower also.

Do a site search on split mains, and you will find all kinds of previous posts regarding this issue.

good luck,
Mike

7/24/2003 8:11:33 AM

Commack, NY

I have a question for you.....is the split lengthwise (with the grain) or crosswise (against the grain).....if its lengthwise, you'll be fine, nothing to worry about, crosswise is the problem.
Scott

7/24/2003 10:31:24 AM

Cranston, Rhode Island

Thanks for the help guys, The split is running lengthwise along the vine. I believe this happened of my own fault for not providing enough wind protection. Yesterday high wind gusts along with heavy rain must have caused the damage.
My friend told me that wood shims that are tapered will do a good job of supporting the vines at the leaf stem area.
What do you think?
Thanks again,
Will

7/24/2003 11:36:20 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Plateman, I got similar problem on a split main..the problem really shows up later. while the pumpkin is growing great on the vine I do not dare unearth the split area...so I am having a hard time relieving the stem stress. you seem to have a little more area between the split and pumpkin then I do so you might not run into the problem...I know this weekend I'll be digging a hole to lower the pumpkin!! I think if you could get a good splint on it it might help latter on when the pumpkin needs the slack...never seen it done but I'm sure someone has! Good Luck... Chuck

7/24/2003 1:29:54 PM

Montoursville, PA

Let the lessons begin and Dear Lordy let me have one to grow. Amen.

7/24/2003 1:38:18 PM

Cranston, Rhode Island

Chuck,
Thanks for the info. I hope luck is on my side. This is my first attempt at growing an A.G. Since I'm only growing one plant in a small plot ( 400 sq.ft. ) I'll take a whole barrel of luck. Here I am trying so hard to keep striped cucumber beatles, squash vine borers (sounds like some kind of alien) away from the plant that I didn't pay enough attention to wind protection. I figured with the garage,house, and bushes in the surrounding area, there would have been enough protection..But I guess not!!!

7/24/2003 2:00:50 PM

Gloucester, MA

Plateman,
That wind came through here yesterday too. My plant held on OK this time.

Best of luck.

7/24/2003 2:37:54 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Plateman:
My 995 Carter plant has a lengthwise split 8" from the base of the plant,it's about 6" long and wide open ,the main is alsmost 30ft now,have pumpkins growing on it,no i'll effects so far,heck i didnt do anything to it yet.Should be fine.John

7/24/2003 3:26:29 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Plateman

My 803 Davies is split about 10 inches right at the stump outward lengthwise. Have done absoultely nothing to it and seems none the worse for wear. Have two pumpkins growing on the main as we speak.

John (5150)

7/24/2003 4:01:37 PM

Whidbey Island

I've had very bad luck with one vine this year with horizontal splits. It seems as if the vine is extremely fragile and any motion causes splits. I've seen over 6 such splits, the biggest was on my main vine about 10 feet from the base. Several of the secondary vines have also been hit and I've given up on the vine. I tried supporting the vine, burying it and all to no success.

Has anyone else had such a lemon?

7/24/2003 8:46:52 PM

Cranston, Rhode Island

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I feel relieved now.

Thanks,
Will

7/25/2003 8:47:29 AM