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Ct

Hi all, I seem to have this same issue every year - I usually set the plants on a mound that I make, but in time the vines always snap on me as they grow longer and reach for flat ground.Now, I have done everything I could think of to ease them down a little at a time. I make an x with plastic stakes yet somehow the vines still snap. One issue I noticed is that the plants sometimes tend to want to grow straight up, leaving me in a tough situation where I have to take up to 16" of vertical plant and make it head for flat ground. My question is, do I really need to set new plants in a mound or can I just plant them on a flat area? When I mound them it seems like a long way down to flat ground.

3/19/2012 8:02:21 AM

Ontario

Try tipping the plant on a 45 degree angle and bilding a ramp, so the vine has't got so far to travel down,I think Pap posted something to that affect.The soil when mounded warms up much quicker and makes the roots and wee beasties in the soil ,happy campers. hope this helps. Terry

3/19/2012 11:16:37 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Great info, we do this every year, it works great!

3/19/2012 11:52:37 AM

President - GPC

I like to use the mister to help them down gentle.....it the warmth of the day.....spray some water on them...move the X stick out some....

3/19/2012 12:09:17 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Yes, you can plant on flat ground, your idea of useing the X is good - "BUT ONLY WORK ON YOUR VINES IN THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY"

3/19/2012 1:36:12 PM

Ct

If I plant on flat ground will I be making the base more apt to get stump rot?

3/19/2012 1:44:02 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hi Lis, I took Tom's advice a few years back and plant like meaford said on an angle pointing the way you eventually want the vine to travel.

I also plant on top of small mounds and pre-dig in an oversize pot to create the space for the seedling to go in. That way, you can plant on the angle you want and it will help ease the vine down early.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=153297

3/19/2012 1:54:44 PM

Ct

So when I initially set the plant in the patch { previously started in half gallon containers } I should angle the entire plant / rootball at a 45 degree angle?

3/19/2012 1:57:01 PM

Ontario

Yep, Terry

3/19/2012 2:33:00 PM

Ontario

Yep, Terry

3/19/2012 2:33:16 PM

Rhode Island

with the vines growing straight up as you mentioned? you could have to much nitrogen and or fertilizers in the mound. which will make the vine tips grow skyward and become very brittle.
this could be your problem. suggest backing off on the ferts at least untill the mains and sides get established.
pap

3/20/2012 8:51:37 AM

Ashby, MA

I plant flat on the ground but at a 45 degree angle. This seems to help them touch down nicely. I was thinking about planting on a mound, however, I plan to use heat cables so maybe I wont need the mound.

3/20/2012 9:22:42 AM

Nottingham, UK

I'll be planting on a reliatively wide mound and at an angle. I had a problem with my vine growing vertically but it sorted itself out in the end:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=157844

I originally put some shading over to protect the young leaves but this could have cut out too much light and contribited tio growing vertically. Who knows..

3/26/2012 5:01:44 AM

Nottingham, UK

Thanks for that tip Pap

3/26/2012 5:02:32 AM

Tinykinville

lisfisher make sure they are wind protected as well when up in air they are very vulnerable in that state.

3/27/2012 9:09:02 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Here is a great example and photo of planing on an angle to assist with...thanks gpierce...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=176261

4/16/2012 12:33:36 PM