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Partlow,Va

How do you support your long gourds?

1. Adjust vine, maybe some foam under it, do nothing.
2. Tie a cloth or tie to the lg itself at some point.
3. Tie some cotton clothline or the like around the stem.

I am doing all three presently but #1 isn't going to cut it for the entire season on some. In the past I have done #2 and #3 just looking to improve. What do ya'll do?

8/6/2023 5:51:34 PM

Iowa

I secure a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe with wire ties so the stem lays over it. This way the stem is not being pulled across something sharp or anything that might have a sharp an edge. The pvc will not hold moisture either....I like that. I use nothing else.

8/7/2023 11:11:03 PM

Partlow,Va

Thanks man! Great idea. I have two done with pvc. I also tied the vine one node from the gourd with sideways pull to keep it from pulling over when the weight hits. I was a day late on a large 102" one . I thought it was perfestly hanging on the knob but it slid off and crushed the vine.
Another note the vines will kink quickly compared to the gourd stem. Kinked two of them.... also one day late. i did get 17" in two days out of the kinked ones from day 11 to 13. The 102 slowed to a three inch gain, but the other one on that plant did a crazy 20" in two days. 12 days old so maybe its a good thing I messed up!

8/9/2023 8:13:02 AM

Colorado

I like # 3 when doable.It makes a difference, if the gourd is on a vertical or horizonal part of the trellis.I did the pvc tubing method on one this year.The gourd got so heavy it pulled the stem and vine over the pvc and through the woven wire hole.However the vine didnt tear or kink badly so its still there touching the patio pavers.

9/6/2023 7:15:15 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

Get a nylon stocking and tie a simple knot about 2 ft. down from the stem, then tie 3 or 4 half hitches above that. Pull up on the free end until you are taking about half of the weight off then tie the free end to something. Unlike rope, the nylon will stretch as it grows.

9/6/2023 7:55:15 PM

Partlow,Va

I do like the nylon stocking thing Larry. Esp for the big ones and when the vines get old. I remember now seeing at Altoona the markings on your lg from it.
I used and really liked the 1" pvc(one was 3/4",both worked) with the stem laying on it if you get a fruit on high enough in the trellis. I did have the same problem cojoe. I secured the pvc then tied the vine at two node places horizontally so the node ball would not slip over. At the end when the vines got older and I got scared I then added a tshirt around the fruit because I couldn't find any stockings.

12/22/2023 8:30:06 AM