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East Jordan, MI

When do you start to curve the vine? Before pollination? Immediately after pollination -- which seems to mean that you would have up to 3 curves if you pollinate 3 and pick the best? After you pollinate 2 or 3 and decide which one you are going to keep -- that seems a little too long because the vine will be thicker after 2 or 3 weeks if you decide to keep the first one?

6/9/2010 9:18:11 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

You're thinking too hard, if you have a successful pollination or two then monitor them and finally choose which one you're going with. At some point you will probably have to pull the main to ensure the shoulders have good clearance. These things don't go from golf balls to medicine balls overnight so you have plenty of time to make a decision and gradually train your vine.

6/9/2010 9:33:03 PM

Deer Park WA

FYI, a great resource for newer growers and crusty old dogs like me (and Jim Sherwood) is a little book put together by one of the worlds most accomplished growers entitled "Dicks Tips" contact Dick Wallace AKA "Pap" on this forum and you will have access to all of the latest techniques and "secrets" growers have and do use to produce worl records.

As for you question, begin gently guiding the main vine into an S-pattern as soon as you see her in the whorl, but only when the temp has warmed in the afternoon.

Great post!

Gerry Gadberry

PS the proceeds all go to a great little charity "Coats for Kids".

6/10/2010 12:50:16 AM

East Jordan, MI

I'm interested in the book. I am reading everything I can. I haven't been very successful in using the search on this site. I can't seem to find a reference to the book or "Pap's" diary or email address. I searched on google and didn't find it either.

Someone throw me a bone.

6/11/2010 11:21:26 PM

East Jordan, MI

And thanks for the input. I know I'm thinking too hard...my wife and everyone at work thinks I've gone over the edge. But I'm having a blast. These plants are the most AMAZING things I have ever grown. I swear if you sat there and watched them closely you could actually see them grow.

6/11/2010 11:24:43 PM

Deer Park WA

Start a new thread entitled "Paps Tip" and he may reply, this time of year most growers dont post up as they are busy in the patch. Great read so keep askin

6/12/2010 12:07:40 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

cboy, last I heard (or read) was that the Book, Pap's tips 2 was sold out. Hopefully a demand for them will create a 2nd printing...!!! as for the s curve... I put the beginning of an S into my early plant yesterday...9 days after pollination.(27"circ) I was convinced that my first set is a keeper, (2 others pollinated further out). I culled the outer one, moved the middle one, and put the S at the first one. Even after cutting roots b/4 and after the first set, (to raise the vine to stem level) the pkn put on 4" circ to make it to 31" on day 10. As to yer thoughts of these plants being the most AMAZING things to grow...I AGREE!!! Peace, Wayne

6/12/2010 1:38:54 AM