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Kutztown, PA

I've read/heard several different approaches to vine pruning and formation. I was thinking of letting each secondary grow to 12' and maybe flagging the last two letting the tertiaries on the sides of them that run parallel to the main grow to fill in the patch. I've heard many say they dead head to main not far after the pumpkin. I've also heard many let it grow and continue to produce secondary vines. Some say to cut the secondary produced at the pumpkin node off completely. So many patterns and ideas to choose from. What's your advice. PS Pollinated the 2,200 Wolf this morning @ 12' out on the main. Got another one to pollinated at about 15' out in a couple of days.

6/9/2022 9:00:09 AM

Austin MN

I like Mike’s idea of to cut it at the fruit and let the secondary’s both sides become new mains and let the 3rds fill in behind the pumpkins. Looks like a pitch fork from my interpretation.
I think this makes stem stress later on easier to deal with.

6/9/2022 10:55:39 AM

Western NY

Lots of different ways to grow a big one, although I do think that a few growers are starting to key in on things that help with later growth and overall size.

I'd go with the 15' set.

6/9/2022 11:06:35 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I think many things can factor in on what pattern you grow...Mikes pattern works great for very aggressive plants, the normal Christmas tree pattern works great for late sets. I'm trying a crazy pattern this year time will tell if it works out. The one thing that is a guarantee a big HEALTHY plant is a must for growing 2K pumpkins.

6/9/2022 11:11:48 AM

Central NY

Lots of ways to skin a cat…lots of gigantic fruit grown with differing pruning techniques. I’m lovin Mobymike’s method of cutting the vine right off after the fruit. Keep it outta the way, possibly signaling the plant to pack on pounds?…pap Wallace had good advice also , if the positioning is good, keep the main,” if it’s gotta go, it’s gotta go”….Mobymike’s test results being so close to perfect is probably a bigger factor in his enormous fruits.that, and he cheats.

6/9/2022 11:18:03 AM

Kutztown, PA

15' set is probably better since that would give me a few more secondary vines behind the fruit if I decide to dead head at the fruit. I'll hope for a good set on that one. Good advice, as usual Andy. Jake, do you know how long Mike let his secondary vines get? Were they all equal length?
I guess you could say we're all just a bunch of cheaters since we're all basically copying what those in the past have done. I prefer to think of it as, "the resourceful use of accumulated knowledge to facilitate a positive outcome."

6/9/2022 1:55:03 PM

Westmoreland, KS

The guy who grew a world record tomato...ya no cheat'n there! Garwolf I believe they we all pretty much equal length. Pretty sure he just filled in his patch and then dead headed them...he might have let one continue to grow throughout the season.

6/9/2022 4:01:17 PM

Kutztown, PA

Thanks Jake!

6/10/2022 8:16:33 AM

Kutztown, PA

Question: If you dead head at the pumpkin and let tertiary vines grow out of your last secondary vines parallel to the main, do you curl the tertiary vines on the opposite side of the secondary back over them so they too are headed in the same direction as the main?

6/10/2022 8:25:24 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Personally I wouldn't choose that Gar. I think the spacing would be too tight. Airflow is very important. Just keep the ones that grow in the direction you want them and terminate the backside terts.

6/10/2022 12:20:18 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Don't listen to Andy W, he only grows numerous 2000 pounders each year,, what does he know! :)

6/10/2022 12:47:19 PM

Grittyville, WA

One thing to consider (maybe a minor consideration) is the wind. Its nice to have a layout that doesnt promote the leaf stalks from getting blown over or whole vines from getting rolled. There might be a Goldilocks spacing and layout for your area. One of those things we tend to learn the hard way.
Second, a lot of growers are trying to get their irrigation laid out with the vines in a certain way. It should be noted that with Mikes overhead irrigation, he isnt trying to figure out the best way to accomodate drip lines. Thats a factor for a lot of growers.

6/10/2022 1:11:16 PM

Kutztown, PA

I'm doing overhead irrigation outside too. In fact, based on the rain fall in my area I cant say that I have to do a lot of irrigation. However, the wind is definitely a factor for consideration. KC Kevin has a good point about air flow and spacing. We'll see how the plants do. I turned out some really great "Redneck Engineered" stump covers and fans this last weekend along with a couple of chicken feeders. I'm on a "repurpose roll".

6/13/2022 4:23:21 PM