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Woburn, Ma

I often see grower's talking about getting their vine down. This is something I have never had to deal with when growing smaller pumpkins. I have read the message boards and looked at various diaries. I have seen the bamboo X used by many of the grower's. I still am still a bit confused about the whole raised vine issue. It won't come down on it's own?... or does it have to do with stress on the vine?... If someone could give a little better understanding of it. Thanks again....

6/5/2004 10:34:40 AM

Commack, NY

Blaine.....when growing competition pumpkins you want to have a healthy, and as close to a perfect plant as possible. Growers go to great lengths to acheive this. The main vine on these guys grows outward,and sometimes upward, but takes a couple of feet of length before it hits the ground. in those precious couple of weeks the plant and main vine are very susceptible to damage, ie; wind, bird landing on the plant, rain, hail etc. By supporting the main vine, it provides some protection against these things, and can ensure a safe "touch-down" without any cracks, splits or other damage. It doesnt always work out how we plan it to, but we do all that we can to make sure that it does.
Scott

6/5/2004 11:34:12 AM

Woburn, Ma

Thanks Scott, Now it makes sense. As I mentioned earlier I had been coming to this site for 4 years but only for the boards on Fertilizing and pests. I recoginize all the names but (embarrassing as it to say) I never really bothered to look at the diaries that often because I wasn't planning on growing any Atlantic's. Now when I go to the diaries to try to understand something (like the bamboo X's) it just had me a bit confused. Thanks again... Blaine

6/5/2004 1:08:35 PM