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Vermont Green MTN State

YES!!! Finally grew 32lbs today!!!
"Nick" now weighs 212 pounds
And I would like to share what I think did it.
I have been having 10 to 12 pounds of growth everyday, until I cut and buried the end of the main about 20 to 25 ft out. All the secondary vines are buried also. I was just waiting for the right time, felt it was yesterday. I am so excited. And nervous, this is like gambling, it’s a rush. This is the first time I have grown giant pumpkins and I am very happy today!!!
Doeski

8/3/2004 9:38:54 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

How many days old was the fruit?

8/3/2004 11:07:58 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Wow!
Thanks for sharing. I wasn't sure what to do with the main. I still don't know if I should let it grow, but I'll definately take your experience into consideration.
I still have secondaries to terminate.

Doug

8/3/2004 11:11:46 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Every day I stand in the patch, I think maybe today is the day I cut the main, but so far, I haven't had the courage. How many sq ft of foliage do you have? How far out is your fruit set?

8/4/2004 3:56:43 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

I believe the pumpkin is almost a month old since pollination. It took a bit for it to get going it was so cold and rainy here.
I felt the same way about cutting the main vine. It looks great & strong with alot of big leaves, and is almost 25ft or so. Unfortunately the pumpkin is only 4 ft or so out on the vine. Not what I had in mind but glad I left the pumpkin on because it was so late in the season already.
I would say I have about a 12 x 25 ft area occupied by this plant and alot of it buried. Seems like when I started coving some of the more vital vines the plant did better and the pumpkin did to. I think pruning and burring every end plus alot of the vines VERY important from what I have learned thus far.
Hope you find the secret that helps your pumpkins get the weight piling on too!
Doeski

8/4/2004 12:27:09 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Thanks for the info. I'm in a similiar situtation, only about 2 weeks behind you. My best (only) fruit is at 8' out, and there's not a lot of green between it and the stump. The best leaves are on the main past the fruit?! The main is at about 25' now in total. Maybe I'll just hack it and cross my fingers... Are you still getting good daily gains, or was it a 1 time thing?

8/4/2004 3:12:21 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

I got 20lbs yesterday, seems to be going ok. I will be doing my measurement tonight to see what has happened.I did the same with all the plants & I have had great gains on two more pumpkins that I have not documented anything on, maybe I should. My plants are also looking bigger and stronger just a few days after the chop.
Doeski

8/5/2004 12:30:31 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Hey Lawman,
If you do cut the main will you share if anything happens? Would like to see if this really is a factor in weight gain.
Thanks!

8/5/2004 12:32:11 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Done. My gains for the last few days have been 4.5lbs, 5lbs, then all of a sudden, 2.5lbs, although the weather has turned cooler, too. Anyways, I went for it and hacked the main off today, and also pruned off all the male flowers that were growing down the vine. Will let you know.

8/5/2004 4:53:12 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I love these stories! Good Luck! seen them perk up before after pruning..Grow Em Big!

8/5/2004 5:19:59 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Ya this cold weather sucks. It was so cold yesterday I only gained 8lbs. Talk about comming down from a high fast. :(
Anyone else have succsess with cutting the main vine?
Hope your luck gets better with the pruning and warmer weather! Keep us posted Lawman.

Doeski

8/6/2004 9:54:47 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

Hey here is 4 new pics I just posted. one is of the main vine I burried & Nick's UV house.

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2004&grower=24118&action=L

8/6/2004 3:24:09 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

So far, growth hasn't taken off or anything, but the weather took a turn for the worse the same day I terminated the main, so who knows what effect it really had? Weather is turning better in the next few days, we'll see what happens then.

8/7/2004 5:57:32 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Any results as to hacking off the main worked for you folks?

John (5150)

8/11/2004 11:09:45 AM