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WNC Usa

Any ideas on how to train a beginning main vine growing up?

Thanks

6/7/2016 9:29:51 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

Hopefully the main is pointed in the right direction? I would let it grow a foot and a half or so and then during the warmest part of the day late afternoon, I would slowly push down a little on the main towards the ground being careful not to force it much and then put thin bamboo stakes or archery arrows or similar objects and pin the main from the back of the plant with two of the stakes pushed into the ground one to the right of the main and one to the left of the main like an X. Repeat this procedure each day late in the afternoon slowly pushing the main a little towards the ground in front of the plant and eventually you will get the main to lay flat to the ground. You may encounter a kick stand leaf that may grow directly underneath the main which would prevent the main from laying flat to the ground. When this happens you have two choices. Dig a depression under the kicker leaf into the soil to lower the main or if you can't do that cut the kicker stalk off close to the main and the main will then or should lay flat to the ground. Never try pushing down on the main in the morning or during cold days as you could snap the main. The main and the plant in general is very pliable during the hottest part of the day. I wish you good luck. Just take your time and you could also place a bamboo stake under the main to stop a possible fall to the ground that could snap the main.

6/7/2016 9:57:36 PM

WNC Usa

Thanks for that advice.

I will try it.

6/8/2016 9:26:51 AM

Quincy, CA

I am also doing it the Pooh Bear way. Always in the hottest part of the day and small increments each day or it will split.
It's worked in the past. I've had several plants that thought they were sequoias at first but eventually laid down.

6/8/2016 12:42:30 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Lots of nitrogen will also raise your tips as well, so if you have been adding a lot, slow down till its on the ground....

6/8/2016 3:56:07 PM

WNC Usa

Haven't added a lot of nitrogen except possibly in the chicken manure I mixed with the soil and compost when I planted about 2 weeks or so ago.

6/9/2016 1:37:00 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Yep chicken manure is REAL hot. Hopefully it was very well aged?

6/9/2016 2:02:16 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Great advice pooh-bear, and well said!

6/9/2016 3:05:02 PM

Zurich Ont Canada

I use a piece of coated electrical wire. push into ground then losely wrap around vine. This prevents vine from bouncing in the wind which could cause breakage. push deeper into ground each day til it is at ground level.
I have had alot of trouble with this, but in my case I think it is not enough light (sun).

6/14/2016 9:50:37 PM