From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Eau Claire, WI

I had a small chicken wire fence around my largest plant which I removed when I thought it would be time for it to lay down (started touching the wire, and I didn't want it to be supported. Also I planted in a 10 inch high hill which I though would be good relief from soil compaction. The problem is that it now has to go further than 90 degrees to lay down. May 120 degrees. I was not careful, and the next morning a horizontal crack appeared inches away from the ground. the stem is finger thick and the crack appears to be 30-50% though. Is my big boy a goner? Is there anything I can or should do?

Thanks!

5/28/2018 10:24:34 PM

Syracuse, NY

if it is not all the way down onto the ground, IIIIIIII would do whatever i could to keep it at the same level that it is AT, you know, immobilize it, and put something soft and supportive under the vine to ease it down further from there, under its own weight(!). the thought that crossed my mind was to roll up a towel and then flatten it out so that you could slide it under the vine ever-so-carefully and just leave it. yeah, leave it alone and then bury EVERYthing else gently with potting soil/mycorrhizae and water that in and around. i think even the STEM. i DID have a 1385 H/J that needed similar care last year and it eventually came around, but in MY case it was too late, as it had to also TURN more than 90 degrees to even be going in the right direction. this is all JUST an idea. AWAIT OTHERS. good luck! eg

5/29/2018 12:42:21 AM

Arizona

With a crack like that you are losing 30 to 50% of the stump. That would effect the maximum plant growth. Personally I cut mine off and put it in water to regrow the roots, if I want to save the plant. Also start a back up if I didn't have one. Bummer..

5/29/2018 12:51:33 AM

Grittyville, WA

If it does not split farther it could heal.
The plant can compensate somewhat and one big grower has had better luck growing big ones on plants with damaged mains! (Jutras).

5/29/2018 1:56:22 AM

Jericho Vermont

Keep it dry and add fungicide and you will be fine. Look at my diary a couple years back where I had a squirrel chew through most of the main 4 feet from the stump. It healed and we got a fine pumpkin from it.

5/29/2018 4:58:56 AM

Eau Claire, WI

Thanks all,

I mounded up dirt to ramp the stalk slowly downhill from the mount. I burred the middle foot of a two foot stalk & added myco to encourage new root growth. I have yet to stake it, and before I could get to it we got plenty of rain, so it was not dry. I'm sticking to my plan of racing the two plants at opposite ends of my small garden toward each other. I'm guessing they will meet in 3 or 4 weeks. Winner take all - split or no split. In the interim I need to stake the stalk, shield it from more rain and find some captain. Leaves are not wilting, so that a good sign.

I'll try to remember to post results here.

5/30/2018 11:30:30 PM

Syracuse, NY

Stake the Stalk, and Walk The Walk, lol! I've never had it, but Captain Morgan sounds good. later---eg

5/31/2018 1:01:04 AM