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South East

When we grow pumpkins..at certain time we start ending side vines. This can accelerate pumpkin growth...does this apply to long gourds to? And on pumpkins we cull down to one fruit to get maximum size and let all food flow to that one chosen fruit. Does this work for long gourds to,,,any experiences,,,,?

8/7/2008 11:33:36 AM

eastern Ontario

Cooks--I have tried to do some experiments on LG vine pruning and can't come to any sensible conclusions.It seems to me that it doesn't make any difference if we prune some or not.A good plant seems to have lots of energy to spare.

On the number of fruit though it just seems to make sense that the less left on the longer they should grow.Yet it is almost impossible to prove that.I know of several cases though where 3-6 left on all did very well.One factor could be that since they do most of the growing in about 30 days the first pollinated on a plant can be well along when the last are pollinated.

For my 4' x 8' trellis size,I usually reduce them to one or two per plant.

I think we need to learn alot more about both of your LG questions.

8/7/2008 9:27:44 PM