From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Pittsburgh, PA

i wondered if and where should i cut th vine.

i have been cutting side shoots but i was wondering if i can cut the end of the vine. i have a pumpkin in the middle and was wondering if i cut the end of the vine off and all the side shoots if the pumpkin would grow bigger but then i thought if i cut the end of the vine there will be less of a flow of nutrients in the vine so the pumpkin wouldnt grow bigger

7/7/2004 2:03:48 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Is this a Pumpkin plant? How long is the main vine & how long were the secondary vines? Are you trying to grow in the Christmas Tree patern?

7/7/2004 10:21:39 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

im pretty new to this and if i new ehat the cristmas tree patteren was i would maybe do it. this is a pumpkin plant. the main vine is about 10 ft long and the one secondary vine is about 4ft

7/7/2004 11:52:43 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Are you growing an Atlantic Giant?

When growing Atlantic Giants, the plant is often grown in the shape of a Christmas tree lying on its side. Picture the main vine growing more or less staright out about 20' long. The first secondary vines growing out at right angles about 12' on either side. The next about 10'. The next about 8' & so on until the end of the plant is reached. Any tertiary vine (vine growing off a secondary) is removed at once, unless it is needed to fill in a bare area.

In general it is desirable to set a fruit in the 10-15' range, so terminating (cutting off) the main vine at 10' would be bad.

I know there are some pictures of vine paterns somewhere here on this website. I looked & couldn't find them tonight. Perhaps someone else will remeber where they are & post them for you.

If not, we'll come up with some other way to create this picture.

7/8/2004 12:27:29 AM

Eugene, OR

Welcome aboard! You've come to the right place for great info from some of the nicest people you'll ever talk to. These guys won't steer you wrong!

Regarding the various patterns, here's a link to Don Langevin's website. He has the Christmas tree pattern shown as well as a couple of others.

Good luck!

Brian

http://www.giantpumpkin.com/pruning.html?

7/8/2004 12:36:34 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

it is an atlantic giant
i have screwed up on the whole shape thing this year so next year i will have a whole new set of plans on growing it from what you just told me

thanks alot, this site is great

7/8/2004 4:36:02 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'd grow what you have anyway this year. You never know what might happen unless you give it a chance.

Try looking into Don Langevin's book series "How To Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins" from the website Brian provided. All three books are good. But at least get #2 for now. It is loaded with good points.

Have fun!

Steve

7/8/2004 5:58:42 PM