From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ga

Planted outside 4-21. Plant is about 12 ft long but I have no secondarys only a long vine.When do these typically show. I"ve been burying and the plant's very healthy

5/26/2026 7:26:02 PM

Portland, CT

Can you post some pictures of how you've been vine burying. There's a chance you've been burying what would have become your secondary vines.

5/26/2026 10:48:03 PM

Ontario

I generally see the little growing tips appear immediately
They begin to elongate, maybe 3 or 4 days later? Start laying down and vining within a week id say.
So should be secondaries visible maybe 3 feet back from the tip of the main

5/28/2026 9:18:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

There has been some discussion about nutrients but there's no question light is a factor, probably the main factor. Long daylight exposure and not covering them or blocking the small fraction of sunlight they get is very important (even small weeds will inhibit them).

5/29/2026 12:15:51 PM

C N Y

Here, I quoteth myselfith, lol:
"I wonder what would happen if all three sides had fully-outdoor lighting and the main vine was
starved for it, like those old-fashioned photographer 'over-cloaks'."
(From 'Out on a limb...', by eg, lol);
Let's all cover our main vines and see if that initiates secondaries' growth more readily, shall we?
Whenever I DO have any secondaries and a main vine, I'll try it!
Belief = Main vine assembly no longer the source of daylight/anylight input...plant seeks out best source and has to grow secs/leaves to accomplish.
Let's watch...eg

5/30/2026 2:11:40 AM

https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=274196
https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=303992
https://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=719065
https://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=10&p=661856



Here are some links that might help

6/4/2026 8:43:11 PM

Grittyville, WA

Pumpkinpal, I think that would really defeat the main objective. The goal being a large pumpkin then starving the main for light while at some small cellular level a baby pumpkin is developing in the tip? But yeah maybe it wouldn't hurt to put up to 50% shade on it.

I think the best solution is to be thankful that you dont have a large & useless rear portion and switch to a diamond pattern as the second aries eventually develop. Genetically or environmentally, some plants will favor a diamond pattern over a christmas tree. The rear portion of a Christmas tree doesnt contribute much. A diamond pattern pollinated 20 ft out might be better than a Christmas tree pollinated 15 ft out. If this is true, then it's weird to me that people would fight against a better diamond plant structure in order to achieve a worse Christmas tree plant structure.

I know it's really hard to see the top growers with these big Christmas tree patterns that are so impressive and not want to copy them, but the diamond or pitchfork patterns (a more forward plant) are going to pack a lot of pounds on eventually? Granted they might need an extra week or two, to devote energy into that forward foliage.

Just an alternative & frankly unpopular opinion! I just think it's foolish to blindly assume that the initial secondaries are critical. It has in fact been (loosely) proven they are not... Alex Noel grew some big ones without them. Maybe someone can fact check me!

[Last edit: 06/05/26 12:46:40 AM]

6/5/2026 12:39:35 AM

Upa Creek, MO

This has happened to me 2x in 16 years and it is happening this year. It is also happening to Hough (in Missouri also) who has an immaculate set up. His are more slow, my secondaries just werent growing.

I think our reason is the amount of rain we have had with the ground not drying out in months which creates an anaerobic environment for the roots. I have coined the plants as "skimmers". The main grows very fast and skims the ground looking to root with little secondary growth. Compound my lowlight conditions on a clay base, we have stayed wet for 2 months.

It is finally drying out due to the heat alone even on cloudy days and my secondaries are showing up.

There are prob other reasons like nutrients, but this has been the common denominator each time for me in the 16 years.

6/5/2026 10:08:14 AM

C N Y

Yeah, LK, it was gonna be a temporary thing.
I mean, if it were to work? Coooooolllll....
eg

6/6/2026 1:59:04 AM