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Upa Creek, MO

Has anyone had luck or grown off the first or second 2ndary vine? The aftermath of all the high temps has left me with the couple options of pollinating on the first secondary or 25 feet out on a main that has a huge crack in it now at 23 feet (pitchfork fell over...doh!). I could wait for another on a side vine further down, but that wouldn't happen till close to 7/20.

Any input is appreciated. I'm just trying to make the best of what's left for this season. Thanks

7/10/2012 7:53:07 PM

Germany

Does your first secondary allow for tertiary growth (more or less like a back-main in a flag pattern)? Then it should be capable of growing something decent. On just the first secondary without and additional side vines I would say something like 700 lbs is still possible as long as the main close to the stump is healthy (then you might benefit from the long main in a back-feeding manner...maybe. Just my thoughts, but haven´t grown any AGs on first secondaries yet. Just get it pollinated, and then the other ones on the secondaries further out along the main vine. Pollinate everything until July 25th or so, in your case August 10th should still be fine for a decision which one will become the keeper. If there were only 40 or 50 days to weigh-off, it would make a big difference between 10 days more or less of pumpkin growth and I would recommend the earlier pollination. If there are 70 or 80 days to weigh-off, I think you should then go with the better position, even though the pollination might have been 8 or 10 days later, because slightly better growth over a longer period of time might eventually win the race.

7/10/2012 8:17:30 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I'm not sure how big your aiming for but a few years ago I grew one off second secondary and only 8 feet out. Ended up with a 697. That was my biggest at the time but maybe your goals are way beyond this!!! Good luck!!!

7/10/2012 9:50:05 PM

Frankfort Ohio

luke i know with the new kid you did not make it to the weigh off last year pollinate it enjoy the ride and go meet some new friends at the weigh off

7/10/2012 9:57:22 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Jorg, yes, I will have growth past the pumpkin and can grow terts off of it. Weighoff is 10/06 I believe, but the garden receives roughly 3 hours of direct light by late September so each day now counts with maximum light. I'll just have to decide in a few weeks.

Joe, 697 is fine with me!

Thanks Jed, I do hope to attend one this year. I have yet to meet another AG grower.

7/11/2012 9:16:05 AM

Quincy, CA

Last year I grew a 916 pounder four feet out on a side vine that was only three feet from the stump. I still wonder what a main vine pumpkin would have done on that plant.

7/13/2012 7:57:12 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks, my side one is pollinated as of yesterday and looks good today. I still have a few days until the one on the main 25 feet (with cracked vine at 23ft) out is ready to go. It will be a tough decision if both are viable.

7/14/2012 9:57:10 AM