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Hastings, ON

Hello everyone,

I finally took the plunge this year at my new house and got back into pumpkin growing after my first attempt a few years ago. It was a very rough start as cucumber beetles infested my entire area. I managed to salvage 2 plants, one which is doing OK and another which is doing great! Here's my problem. Due to poor management on my part, the two plants have crossed paths. Should I take a chance and scrap the "OK" plant to make room for the other? The "OK" plant hasn't produced a fruit yet, so I feel like it's a waste of water, nutrients from the ground, etc.
The next issue is I haven't put a used under my "prize winner" yet. I'm worried it's already too big to manoeuvre without risking losing it to breaking the stem (it's the size of a watermelon). I was thinking to clear out as much space around the pumpkin and put down sand so it has a proper base going forward. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance for your help!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/33506940@N08/

7/30/2016 9:06:30 PM

Hastings, ON

Sorry, auto correct changed "haven't put a base" to to used, no idea why, sorry!

7/30/2016 9:12:17 PM

Central NY

How far apart are they?

7/30/2016 9:47:57 PM

Hastings, ON

It's about 8 - 10 ft. between the main vines of the two plants.

7/30/2016 9:49:13 PM

Central NY

If your not going for a record I say grow them both ...I'm doing the same...its a bit of a pain to get there and train vines but worth it in case somthin goes wrong with one of the plants...and you have the food investment....Good luck

7/30/2016 10:22:10 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Also when you grow in tight spots like that you need to be proactive with fungicides since you'll have lots of leaf and plant overlap.

7/31/2016 12:00:26 PM

If possible, try to loosen the leaf nodes before and after the fruit. Then, if you have those pool noodles or spare pieces of Styrofoam just gently place those under the nodes on each side of the fruit and maybe the stem. Do you have lots of plant before the fruit? If so, I think from your photo you can cut the vine after the fruit. Maybe this will help offer some space to safely place a base and the sand. I used a 1.5" thick piece of EPS and created holes for drainage and then applied sand (cut your sq to fit your choice of size). I would maybe enlist another person to help lift, while you place everything. As for the 2nd plant, I would try to offer some NutraAid Bloom Booster, as a drench. In the photo, there may be a little white edge to the leaves, so the plant maybe lacking phosphorous and potassium. Smallmouth has a great point with vines crossing over resulting in possible disease. Try to keep the weeds down as much as possible. If you haven't done it already, cut away the leaves by the stump (base) and cover the stump with a cover to keep it dry. I just used a reclaimed piece of plexiglass and screwed four short pieces of wood to it (one to each corner) then just place a brick or rock on top. Your plants look good - I have also had pretty bad issues with cucumber beetles. Hope this helps!

7/31/2016 8:10:43 PM

Hastings, ON

Thank you for all of your input! I'm going to look at the secondary plant tomorrow and if there's definitely no fruit, I'll abort it to provide more space for the primary plant. I'll be a tedious process trying to cut out the secondary plant without damaging the primary, but all I can say is lesson learned for next year! :)

7/31/2016 10:27:12 PM

Hastings, ON

On another note, I've loosened the tap roots that are on the vine around the pumpkin. Should I just leave them out in the open or should I cut them off?

7/31/2016 10:30:20 PM

Central NY

I vote leave them on as long as you can...keep them nice and loose...

7/31/2016 10:33:39 PM

Sounds good. Sometimes I even seen mine grow the roots longer and reach down to the soil after propping the vine up with Styrofoam.

8/2/2016 3:05:03 PM