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Mn

I see that most people remove the secondary at the pumpkin right away. Is there a reason to remove it before the pumpkin gets larger? Does it tend to cause stem stress? Thanks.

7/8/2017 8:44:06 PM

Colorado

Can be done with or without that secondary.If the pumpkin doesn't have a long stem then I'd cut it. Ive got 5 main plants and have cut that secondary on three and may cut a forth.

7/8/2017 9:28:50 PM

Colorado

If you think you cant keep it might as well cut it early.

7/8/2017 9:30:44 PM

Mn

Thanks cojoe. I just worry that cutting it might cause the pumpkin to abort. Do you cut it off right away or wait until the pumpkin has taken? Mine is 7 days old now and has taken. I'd like to get rid of it so maybe that's what I'll do. It has been really hot here in mn lately so didn't want to add any stress.

7/9/2017 12:17:46 AM

Morgantown, WV

Personally, I think the earlier you remove it the better, if you plan to. If you remove it right away, the shoot is still growing fast and will repair very quickly. Additionally, if you remove it right when it starts forming, the wound is much smaller than if you let it grow to the size of a quarter before slicing it off. Small vine tips only leak a drop or two, but a large vine will push a good bit of juice out before it seals over. I remove all of my tertiary vines as soon as they show up, just like the secondaries when setting. If you don't want scratched skin, I would also remove the leaf directly at the pumpkin, as the stalk will tend to rub on young skin causing irreversible blemishes. Good luck jester!

7/9/2017 7:51:04 AM

Hanson Ma

At the GPC convention it was mentioned to try to keep it. It is a secondary main line to the pumpkin. I have been S curving mine so that as the pumpkin grows it will not cause extra stress and can move with the pumpkin. sounds like good idea to me. But if I see an issue it will be cut.

7/9/2017 8:49:15 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I always remove the leafs and secondary I have in the past tried to keep it but it always seems to get in my way... then once the pumpkin is real big I find I haven't allowed enough slack so it gets cut off anyhow so now I just prune the stuff off also I find a few leafs behind and in front of the kin also get in the way so I cut them off too... now that I think about it I cut a lot of leafs off the ones that are big and when the wind blows moves the vine I also cut those off as well.... I guess I cut first and think about later

7/9/2017 11:06:49 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

I am keeping that secondary for now.
I have an excellent S-curve and right now there is plenty of room for the secondary.
Once the kin gets really big shoulders I can always take it off.
For now I figure it just helps grow the fruit.

7/16/2017 12:28:23 AM