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Portland, Oregon

My primary vine has a flat section that is also partially split. There is another vine, about 4 feet shorter but with no flat section, that I could make into the primary vine if I remove the other one. Should I? I hate to lose that four feet, but I don't want to stick with it that flat section will significantly affect pumpkin size.
I took pictures and was hoping to post them but there doesn't appear to be that option.
Thanks,
Jeff

6/17/2020 6:22:22 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Jeff, you can post pics in your grower’s diary.
It is very helpful to see what you are describing.

6/17/2020 10:57:17 PM

Grittyville, WA

I dont think you will lose pumpkin size. I would sulfer that little split and keep water off the crack just in case the wrong kind of disease happens to be nearby. The only reason to choose the secondary would be if its growng faster than the main?

6/17/2020 11:21:18 PM

Grittyville, WA

Keep the air flowing and let the sun shine... you just dont want any vine slime getting started there.

6/17/2020 11:25:27 PM

Portland, Oregon

OK, I posted a picture. I tried to post a close up but there is a script error. Below is a link. If it doesn't work, it is the Jeff in Portland diary. You can see the flat primary a little above halfway up the picture. You can see the flattening and the split. The candidate to replace it is lower in the picture.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=315646

6/17/2020 11:34:45 PM

Bethlehem CT

That is strange, I thought you were talking about a ribbon vine, which is a common problem and is usually fixed just like you mentioned. It is hard for me to recommend anything as I have never had a vine that looked like the one you have. It does get pretty darn thin. It is completely up to you as to what to do. You still have plenty of time if you do want to cut it and grow a new main.

6/18/2020 6:22:35 AM

North Of The Border

Maybe the vine twisted? This can happen from wind, and the vine almosy looks twisted, but i dont know.

6/18/2020 7:42:51 AM

Western NY

Doesn't look like anything to worry about.

6/18/2020 8:24:50 AM

Portland, Oregon

I found the following on the Utah GP Grower's website. I'll check to see how much wider my primary is than a normal vine. I doubt it qualifies as a "flat vine" per the Utah definition.

MY MAIN VINE DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT IT IS REALLY WIDE IT IS LIKE 2 OR 3 OR
MORE TIMES THE SIZE OF A NORMAL VINE?
If it is just two normal vines wide then this is what is called double vine. If it is more than
two normal vines wide then it is call a flat vine or ribbon vine. Double vines will sometime
split themselves and grow into two normal vines. If this happens usually one is cut off
and the other used as “the main vine”. However if you have extra space in your patch
you can angle them away from each other and try growing two main vines each with one
pumpkin on it. Many double vines turn into flat vines. Flat vines are not good! Typically
large pumpkins are not grown on flat vines. If you have flat vine you want to cut if off
and to train a normal strong secondary to become the new main vine.

6/18/2020 1:11:03 PM

Syracuse, NY

wow - that is as if i had explained it.
is there such a thing as a 'literary doppleganger'?
no need to reply, lol---eg

6/20/2020 2:47:13 AM