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Kansas

I have a pumpkin that is (was) doing well, it got damaged in this weeks storm and the main vine got split but it didn't break and it's still growing should I replace it or will it be fine. Didn't know if it will cause problems later down the road?

5/3/2012 12:57:11 PM

churchville, ny

Crash - how old is it ? Main vine split is not good - damage to the leaves not so bad - it's still fairly early so I would replace it asap - that's why I always start backups a few days after the primary seeds since it always seems like something happens to at least one of them - good luck

5/3/2012 8:34:03 PM

East Jordan, MI

It's still early, you could start another plant. These plants are extremely resiliant. The 1810 was grown in a plant that was severely damaged by a hail storm. It can present a place for a problem to begin, but sometimes you just gotta play the hand you are dealt. Only you can decide how much time you are willing to lose by starting over or how much time you are willing to invest to protect the problem.

To help in your decision there are several factors you can consider.

If the split is lengthwise to the vine, and kept dry it will heal, and may not cause any issue at all with the plant (but it is a potential entry point for disease). If you decide to keep it, spray it with some peroxide, dust with some kind of fungicide, and keep it dry (a fan will speed that process up). Many people will build a little plexiglass shield on legs to keep water out and still let the sun to it.

If it is cracked across the vine, it might go ahead and break the rest of the way off.

If it's the main vine it could present a larger problem than if it is a secondary.

If it is the main and there are secondaries before the split, you could just train one of the secondaries behind the split as the new main, as another option on a bigger/older plant.

5/4/2012 2:53:47 AM

Kansas

It's 57 days old and 3.5 to 4 ft long and that's why I really don't want to get rid of it cause I think I got a good head start, the next plant is about 10 days younger and those r the only two plants I have. I started another seed and it's coming up should I squeeze it in or pull out the damaged one my patch is 1200 square ft

5/4/2012 12:06:29 PM

Taylorsville, California

You can also cut the main at the split and train the secondary vine closest to that into your new main.

5/4/2012 1:12:53 PM

50 Acres

Before you cut. Ask the growers that graft plants . They may have a solution.

5/4/2012 6:23:19 PM

Piqua, Ohio

Any plants I've had with main vine splits never get very big 600-700 pounds if you have more seeds I'd start again good luck!

5/4/2012 6:55:42 PM