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Hardwick, NJ

What if one of your first lateral vines is exceptionally robust and produces a fruit far earlier than the main does? This lateral almost looks like it could be a main vine. Is their any realistic chance that this fruit could perform as well as a fruit on the main that got a much later start in growth? Should i just bite the bullet and cull the nicest fruit on the plant (football sized)? Huge thanks

7/18/2015 9:04:15 AM

Easthampton, MA

I'm a newbie, but I've been reading a lot. :) One idea I found intriguing was to try to make a secondary a new main. Instead of pinching the tertiary shoots, let them grow as the new 'secondaries'. I would think that terminating the original secondaries and main vine over time would make sense.

Take this idea as a grain of salt since it comes from a new grower, and perhaps an experienced grower might chime in on this. It's been an option I have been considering if I get a good start on a secondary. **Only one possible pumpkin on a secondary at this point in the season...**

Another consideration of course, is space allotment. ;) Shaking up the patch layout isn't an option for everyone.

And I have heard of several growers say a secondary can produce a big pumpkin. Maybe not high end competition level though.

7/18/2015 10:57:57 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

A pumpkin on a back secondary often grows faster than one on the main vine - initially. But it will fizzle. Stay the course and look for a pumpkin on the main. Unless your plant has truly re directed its resources towards this side vine. That would be a different story.

7/19/2015 1:32:10 AM

Easthampton, MA

I like the 'fizzle' description. :)

7/19/2015 11:34:15 AM

Hardwick, NJ

Thanks!

7/29/2015 9:23:19 PM