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Lakewood, Colorado

I need advice. The photo at the link shows one of two splits that I have in the main vine due to last Thursday's hail storm. The plant has survived, but I am concerned about this damage to the main. There is another split about 5" down from this one on the underside of the vine. The next photo in the diary show how much main I have down from the splits.

The question is, should I cut off the main at the nearest secondary back from the injury or let it go? My concern is that this damage will restrict the flow of nutrients and growing power. But I hate to sacrifice the main. Cutting it back would take of about 24" of main. The secondary looks good and is now growing again, as they all are after the damage shock. Thanks for any advice.

6/12/2012 8:19:43 PM

Lakewood, Colorado

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=180675

Here is the diary link.

6/12/2012 8:20:00 PM

Cheyenne,WY

You can buy hail netting at American Clay Works in Denver. They have more than doubled their price this year. I paid 4.33 per a linear foot at 26 foot width.

You might put a little fungicide, but depending on the hail damage, it looks like it will recover. I have photos from my 1306 Mohr last year that was hit multiple times since it was not protected. Each time I thought it was a goner, but it bounced back.

Good Luck!

6/12/2012 11:53:03 PM

East Jordan, MI

That sucks.

Maybe someone with more experience will chime in. But here are my thoughts.

These plants get splits from several causes, (wind, growing to fast, hail, and even sometimes by us), and although not ideal they still grow big kins.

Many people get hail damage and the plants come back hard and strong -- including the 1810 (2010 World Record) so it is possible.

Keep it dry, treat it with a fungicide, watch it, if a side further back is growing better then it might be better to cut it and swing the side around to be the new main.

All that being said, I'd proabably cut the main (but I'm no expert -- just what I would do at this stage), 2 ft of main this early on will be made up in a few days, and being stuck with 90 days of restricted flow I'd alway wonder what if. But that is just me.

Good luck with your decision.

6/13/2012 7:18:44 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

It will heal as long as there has not been severe vascular damage. One of our best plants one year was left with no foliage. Two weeks later it was a healthy plant still putting on 25 lbs a day

6/13/2012 7:28:18 AM

Central Minnesota

You are fine. That isn't bad hail damage. The last two years my plants got destroyed by hail. It is so early yet you have options of either cutting it back and picking a new main, or keeping the one you have (which I would do). As long as it is growing yet, keep it. Early hail hardly phases these plants, hail late in July is a different story. Hard to grow more plant when you are growing pumpkin. In this case, you will be able to grow plenty of plant yet and still get a pumkin set early enough.

6/13/2012 11:33:31 AM

Colorado

Erik go by how well the main grows after the split. Thats your way of knowing how much vascular damage there was if any.If the mains growth isnt as strong as the secondaries then wack it and dont look back.

6/13/2012 1:01:00 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Erik,

I know it hurtZ to have this happen. I found a couple more main vine hurtZ on mine too. Like CoJoe stated, look for the growth, if its not there, thoZe secondarieZ will be ready for you to pick one, theyll be getting the extra juice. Hang in there, I know what your feeling....!!

6/14/2012 10:02:49 AM

Lakewood, Colorado

I decided to take off 24" of the main back to the closest secondary that was showing strong growth.

The main had more damage than I could see. It had a continuous split about 6" long. The vine had curled due to this damage so part of it was on the underside after the storm.

It's gone now and looking for that new main to kick into gear. There is lots of new growth on the plant now. Feeling good about my decision. The main may have lived but it was greatly compromised. Thanks for all the advise.

6/14/2012 1:40:10 PM

Central Minnesota

I am dealing with the same thing you are but much worse Erik. However, my decisions were easier because the mains were cut 90% all the way through.

6/14/2012 1:56:08 PM