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Sydney, Australia

Any comments or experience about this practice? Sounds good to me and should ensure a problem free laying down of the main vine...... Ben

10/26/2003 1:52:59 AM

Leicester, NY

Ben,
Setting the plants in the patch at an angle works well most of the time. There are some plants that will want to stand straight up, no matter what we do. With those, I just lean them over a tiny bit each day and put a small amount of soil behind them, to hold them in place..Joe P.

10/26/2003 10:00:04 AM

Knopp, Germany

I did that last year Ben and it worked very well. The other thing that I experimented with was putting the first leaf 45 degrees away from the direction that I wanted the vine to go. That way it didn't matter which way it grew, I only had to help it move towards the desired direction 45 degrees instead of 90. Using both these methods on one plant resulted in the vine being on the ground early, and in the right direction within 2 feet of vine growth.

10/27/2003 4:24:44 AM

Itzetown City

Owen, somewhere i read that the vine will drop to the ground and go the direction opposite the first true leave. Or if you plant direct in the patch, you should know, there are two holes on the bottom of the seed. One hole is deep on the point one is a little bit higher. Nine times out of ten the main vine will grow direction opposite of the hole on the top. But i only read it, i never proof it.

10/27/2003 5:09:42 AM

Knopp, Germany

That is true Werner. Most of the time....... I tried the above mentioned technique on one of my plants last year, and was surprised to find out that moving the seedling the 45 degrees was remarkably no problem at all. After it had established the stump it actually looked like any other plant. I had to move one this year 90 degrees, it was a very slow process and used the first 6 feet or so of the main vine to do it. After both experiences, I have decided to plant using the 45 degree idea on all my plants from now on. I will never have to worry about which direction they vine from again. I am not saying it is a revolutionary idea, but I do believe it is something to try, who knows, you may like it :-)

10/27/2003 6:34:46 AM

Sydney, Australia

Thanks for the comments, I have planted at about 30 degree's with desired main direction headed opposite the first true leaf. Hope it works out well. I like you idea Owen, make sense! Last year I planted all my seedlings backwards, it should be a bit easier this year.....

10/27/2003 7:11:45 AM

Montoursville, PA

Hey folks......you can use light or the lack of light to encourage direction too! They will always grow to the strongest light source. Shade one side and increase light on the other for maximum effect. Just when you need heat the most now your heating light bulb may play another roll.

10/27/2003 12:51:35 PM